Joshua Van’s recent title defenses, including a dominant unanimous decision over former champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 in September 2026 and a fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira earlier that year, have solidified his status as the undisputed UFC flyweight champion. At 24 years old with an 18-2 record and eight straight wins, the Myanmar-born fighter has demonstrated superior striking, grappling control, and finishing ability against top competition, aligning with the overwhelming trader consensus reflected in his 96.5% implied probability. Manel Kape and other ranked contenders trail far behind due to Van’s consistent performances and the absence of any scheduled title bouts before year-end. A late injury, withdrawal, or unforeseen matchmaking shift could theoretically open the door for an upset, though such developments remain low-probability given the current timeline and Van’s established dominance in the 125-pound division.