The UFC has long treated Madison Square Garden as one of its most iconic proving grounds. Ever since the promotion returned to New York City following the state’s legalization of MMA in 2016, the UFC has made it a priority to stack the annual November card with blockbuster matchups. Now, according to lightweight contender Renato Moicano, this year’s event could be no exception.
During a recent interview with Laerte Viana, Moicano dropped a tantalizing hint that UFC 322, scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden on November 15th, may feature two high-stakes matchups at the very top of the card: featherweight champion Ilia Topuria defending his title against former interim lightweight kingpin Justin Gaethje, and flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja squaring off with streaking young phenom Joshua Van.
🚨| Renato Moicano says he is hearing “whispers” that the UFC are looking to have Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje & Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van Main and Co-Main #UFC322 card in Madison Square Garden on November 15th respectively! 👀
via @laertevianamma YT #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/pK6vDiPegk
— MMA Surface (@MMASurface) August 27, 2025
While the UFC has yet to officially announce the card, Moicano’s words have already sparked waves of speculation and excitement across the MMA community.
Topuria vs. Gaethje: A Firestorm in the Making
If true, the prospect of Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje instantly provides UFC 322 with one of the most electrifying title fights of the year. Topuria, who captured the featherweight belt in February with a clinical demolition of Alexander Volkanovski, is undefeated and has established himself as one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars. Known for his precision boxing and ruthless finishing ability, the Georgian-Spanish fighter has quickly developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers pound-for-pound.
Ilia Topuria’s manager just hinted at a fight between Ilia Topuria & Justin Gaethje🔥
Is this the fight to make at 155?👀 pic.twitter.com/Eyjpy4MWXp
— Clipped Fighting (@harmheerebeek) August 27, 2025
Yet his next challenge—if indeed Gaethje is the man across from him—presents a fascinating stylistic clash. Gaethje, fresh off one of the most impressive stretches of his career, has never been shy of taking on daunting assignments. A battle-hardened veteran of the lightweight wars, Gaethje has built his legacy on violent brawls, devastating leg kicks, and fearless pressure. Whether or not he’s dropping to featherweight or Topuria is moving upward remains cloudy, but the mere possibility is enough to stir intrigue.
For Gaethje, a victory would further cement his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters of all time, and perhaps provide him with a belt in a second division. For Topuria, surviving Gaethje’s notoriously reckless storm would underscore his status as a generational talent. Either way, the matchup screams fireworks and serves as an ideal main event for a venue as prestigious as MSG.
Pantoja vs. Van: A Generational Crossroads
The suggested co-main event has its own brand of storyline intrigue. Alexandre Pantoja stands today as the king of the flyweights, a champion known not just for his relentless submission game but also his near-iron will. Pantoja has built his championship run on durability, aggression, and a knack for thriving in the blood-and-guts style fights that have defined his reign.
Joshua Van has hinted at some impending fight news 👀🔥
Are we about to get confirmation of a title shot against UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja for “The Fearless?” pic.twitter.com/RE9HASqDHK
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) August 27, 2025
His rumored challenger, Joshua Van, is one of the newest names to capture fan buzz in the flyweight division. At just 22 years old, the Myanmar-born sensation has turned heads with his fearless striking, rapid pace, and ability to finish fights inside the distance. While some may argue that Van’s resume isn’t yet fully deserving of a title shot, his undefeated rise and the UFC’s long tradition of injecting youthful energy into their marquee events make him a compelling, if surprising, candidate.
Should the matchup be finalized, Madison Square Garden would once again serve as the stage for a compelling storyline: a veteran champion fighting to protect his throne against an ambitious young challenger out to make history.
If Moicano’s claims prove true, UFC 322 could become another entry into the Madison Square Garden pantheon: Topuria vs. Gaethje offering near-certain chaos at the top of the bill, and Pantoja vs. Van bringing a generational passing-of-the-torch narrative in the co-main slot.
The whispers may not yet have the solidity of official confirmation, but in the world of MMA, whispers often lead to roars. Should these bouts materialize come November 15th, fans filing into MSG will be treated to exactly the kind of unpredictable, spectacular theater that has made the UFC’s yearly New York trip a highlight on the combat sports calendar.
