Joshua Van currently holds the top position in the UFC’s flyweight division, and Hiromasa Ougikubo, the reigning Rizin flyweight grand prix winner and current Rizin flyweight champion, has voiced interest in facing him. Ougikubo captured the Rizin flyweight crown and grand prix title on December 30th by defeating Yuki Motoya at the RIZIN Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri event.
Leading up to his recent fight, Ougikubo expressed his desire for fans to recognize the Rizin flyweight grand prix champion as someone capable of defeating the UFC titleholder. When discussing a potential matchup with the UFC champ Joshua Van, Ougikubo remarked,
“So if for some crazy reason, if this is allowed, like you mentioned I want to fight Joshua Van if possible. But you know, obviously that’s a very hard hurdle to go by. So I think there still a lot of flyweights out there that aren’t in the UFC but still have potential and are really, really tough, you know. So I would like to continue to fight those guys in Rizin and continue to prove that Rizin has the best flyweights and this is where the competition is.” ?Hiromasa Ougikubo, Rizin Flyweight Champion
Though such a cross-promotional fight appears unlikely, Ougikubo shared his thoughts on how he would approach a contest against Van. He acknowledged Van’s striking prowess, stating,
“So obviously Joshua Van is a very hard striker with heavy hands, you know. He likes to utilize his hands. So if this fight were to happen I would definitely engage in his strengths and his strong points along with mixing in my strong points. Eventually take him down and go for the finish.” ?Hiromasa Ougikubo, Rizin Flyweight Champion
Joshua Van’s Upcoming UFC Flyweight Title Defense
Joshua Van is preparing to defend his UFC flyweight championship for the first time, although his opponent will not be Alexandre Pantoja, the former champion from whom he won the title. Despite expectations that Pantoja might receive an immediate rematch after his injury-related loss, a rising contender from Japan, Tatsuro Taira, will challenge Van for the belt.
The title fight is scheduled for UFC 327 on April 11th, where Van aims to solidify his reign against the third-ranked contender. The 24-year-old Taira arrives with momentum after a victory against former UFC champion Brandon Moreno, marking a significant opportunity in his career.
The Significance of Potential Cross-Promotional Flyweight Matchups
While the possibility of a bout between Hiromasa Ougikubo and Joshua Van remains remote due to promotional boundaries, discussions around such a fight highlight the depth of talent in the flyweight division beyond the UFC. Ougikubo’s recent performances and prior victory over ex-UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja emphasize Rizin’s competitive flyweight roster, suggesting that the division’s global talent pool continues to expand.
If a cross-promotional match were ever to come to fruition, it would not only be a clash of champions but also a platform to measure the relative strength of the flyweight class across organizations. For now, Joshua Van’s immediate focus will be on defending his UFC title against Tatsuro Taira, but the interest from international champions like Ougikubo underscores ongoing excitement and storylines within the flyweight category.
