Van set for rematch against Pantoja at UFC 331
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Joshua Van will headline UFC 331 in a flyweight title rematch against Alexandre Pantoja on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, officials announced Thursday.
- Van (17-2) won the 125-pound championship via first-round TKO over Pantoja (30-6) in December, but the result carried an asterisk after Pantoja suffered a freak elbow injury in the opening seconds while bracing on the mat.
- Van has already defended the belt once, against Tatsuro Taira in May, and has repeatedly pushed for a rematch to remove any doubt about his status as champion.
- Arman Tsarukyan (23-3), ranked No. 2 at lightweight and riding a five-fight win streak, will co-headline in a five-round bout after withdrawing from a scheduled January 2025 title shot against Islam Makhachev due to back spasms.
- Mauricio Ruffy (14-2), ranked No. 7 at lightweight and 5-1 in the UFC with four knockouts, is billed as one of the division's most dangerous new title prospects and steps in as Tsarukyan's opponent.
Why it matters: Van gets the chance to validate his December title win without the lingering injury asterisk, while the co-main gives Tsarukyan — long regarded as the division's most deserving No. 1 contender — a marquee showcase after his year-long layoff since his canceled January 2025 title shot.
