Joshua Van Defends Flyweight Title in Alexandre Pantoja Rematch at UFC 331

Joshua Van (17-2) will headline UFC 331 on September 19 in a flyweight title rematch against Alexandre Pantoja (30-6).

Joshua Van (17-2) will defend his 125-pound championship against Alexandre Pantoja (30-6) in the main event of UFC 331 on September 19. The flyweight title rematch, announced by officials on Thursday, is scheduled to take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Van previously captured the gold by securing a first-round TKO victory over Pantoja in December. That initial encounter was marked by a freak injury to Pantoja, who suffered an elbow issue in the opening seconds while attempting to brace himself on the mat after Van caught an early kick.

Since winning the belt, Van has successfully recorded one title defense, defeating Tatsuro Taira in May. The champion has publicly sought this second meeting to remove any uncertainty regarding his status at the top of the division following the injury-shortened first bout. Pantoja enters the contest looking to reclaim the strap he lost during that December stoppage.

Tsarukyan vs Ruffy Co-Main Event

The UFC 331 co-headline slot features a five-round lightweight clash between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan, currently ranked No. 2 in the 155-pound division, holds a professional record of 23-3 and is riding a five-fight winning streak. His most recent appearance resulted in a second-round submission win over Dan Hooker in November. The 29-year-old fighter is 10-2 overall within the UFC promotion and is widely regarded as the top contender for the lightweight championship.

Tsarukyan was previously slated to challenge former champion Islam Makhachev for the title in January 2025. However, he was forced to withdraw from that scheduled championship opportunity during the week of the fight due to back spasms. This September matchup marks his return to the Octagon after nearly a year of inactivity.

Lightweight Rankings and Prospects

Mauricio Ruffy enters the co-main event as the No. 7 ranked lightweight contender. The Brazilian athlete holds a 14-2 professional record and has established himself as a significant prospect with a 5-1 record inside the UFC. Ruffy’s finishing ability is highlighted by four knockouts achieved during his tenure with the organization. He is currently viewed as one of the most dangerous new threats to the divisional hierarchy.

Event Details and Logistics

UFC 331 serves as the promotion's primary September showcase in Southern California. The event marks the first time these four athletes will compete at the Crypto.com Arena under these specific billing conditions. Brett Okamoto first reported the official announcement of the card on August 5, 2026. The scheduled five-round duration for the non-title co-main event ensures both Tsarukyan and Ruffy have twenty-five minutes to settle their ranking dispute.

Van’s rise to the championship follows a trajectory that includes 17 career wins, while Pantoja brings the experience of 36 professional fights into the rematch. The September 19 date will determine if Van can silence critics of his first title win or if Pantoja can overcome the injury misfortune that ended their December championship bout in the first round.