New Delhi, Dec. 7 -- In the cacophony of cheers and gasps that filled the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, a career-altering moment unfolded in mere seconds, reshaping the flyweight division in ways few could have anticipated. Joshua Van, a 24-year-old prodigy with a record that belies his brief time in the professional ranks, became the second-youngest champion in UFC history after defending champion Alexandre Pantoja suffered a gruesome elbow injury just 26 seconds into their main event clash at UFC 323. The incident, captured in horrifying detail on replay, showed Pantoja's right arm snapping as Van countered a high kick with a textbook takedown, planting the Brazilian to the mat and ending his reign abruptly.

Referee He...