Overview
- Joshua Van will defend the UFC flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday, Sept. 19, as the main event of UFC 331 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
- Their first meeting ended 26 seconds into UFC 323 when Pantoja injured his arm while falling, producing a TKO that left the division with an unresolved result.
- Van strengthened his claim to the belt by stopping Tatsuro Taira by TKO in May, giving him one full title defense before the rematch.
- Betting markets list Van as a slight favorite and the card’s co‑main — Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy — could shape the lightweight title picture depending on the winner.
- The rematch has been amplified by UFC promotion and sponsorships, and a Van victory would cement his legitimacy while a Pantoja win would restore the former champion’s legacy.