Overview
- At Friday’s official weigh‑ins all 24 scheduled fighters made weight and Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja each registered 125 pounds so the championship remains on the line.
- Betting markets shifted during fight week and list Van as the slight favorite heading into the rematch, reflecting changing public and sportsbook assessments.
- The five‑round co‑main between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy is billed as a lightweight title eliminator with the winner likely to be next in line for a shot at Justin Gaethje.
- Ceremonial faceoffs produced heated moments, including a near‑scuffle between Tsarukyan and Ruffy that required Dana White and security to step in, while Van and Pantoja delivered tense but controlled staredowns.
- The rematch comes after Pantoja lost the belt to Van at UFC 323 when he suffered a freak arm injury 26 seconds into that fight, and tonight’s event at Crypto.com Arena will determine whether Van’s reign is validated or Pantoja reclaims the title.