Los Angeles — September 19, 2026
The UFC returns to Los Angeles on Saturday night for UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2, and the main event carries unfinished business.
Flyweight champion Joshua Van puts his title on the line against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch of a first meeting that ended after only 26 seconds because of Pantoja’s injury. Van subsequently captured the championship and successfully defended it against Tatsuro Taira, while Pantoja has been working his way back toward the belt.
The event takes place at Crypto.com Arena, with the main card beginning at 9 p.m. ET. In Canada, the main card is available on PPV, with prelims on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
Main Event: Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2
UFC Flyweight Championship
This is the fight that will finally provide a competitive answer to a matchup that never had the opportunity to develop the first time.
Van, only 24, enters as the champion after defeating Pantoja’s replacement? No — Van won the title when Pantoja suffered the injury in their original meeting, then strengthened his position with a successful defense against Tatsuro Taira. UFC describes Saturday’s contest as Van’s second title defense.
Pantoja enters with considerable experience at the championship level. Before the injury, he had established himself as one of the division’s leading fighters, including four successful title defenses. He now has the opportunity to regain the championship and settle the question of what might have happened had the first fight continued.
Key matchup
Van’s pace and striking vs. Pantoja’s grappling and submission game.
Van has the youth and momentum advantage, while Pantoja brings championship experience and an established submission threat.
The biggest question is whether Van can keep the fight at a range and pace that favors his striking, or whether Pantoja can close distance, force grappling exchanges and make the champion work from uncomfortable positions.
This should be considerably more competitive than the first meeting. Five rounds also give both men substantially more time to adjust.
Co-Main Event: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy
A five-round lightweight fight gives both men a major opportunity to strengthen their championship credentials.
Tsarukyan returns following a five-fight winning streak and his victory over Dan Hooker. Ruffy has also made significant progress, recording two dominant finishes this year while preparing alongside Alexander Volkanovski.
Tsarukyan’s wrestling and top control could be crucial, while Ruffy presents a dangerous striking threat.
Key question: Can Ruffy keep the fight standing long enough to force Tsarukyan into a striking battle?
Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi
This featherweight matchup brings together two experienced and dangerous strikers.
Pitbull is trying to build momentum after struggling during his transition to the UFC, while Choi enters on a three-fight winning streak.
Choi’s recent form makes this an intriguing matchup, but Pitbull’s experience in major fights cannot be overlooked.
Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski
One of the card’s most intriguing youth-versus-experience fights.
Menifield has established himself as a veteran presence at light heavyweight. Baraniewski, meanwhile, is undefeated at 9-0 and has stopped each of his first three UFC opponents in the opening round, spending only 3:22 combined inside the Octagon in those victories.
If Baraniewski cannot get the early finish, the fight could become a very different test against an experienced opponent.
Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf
The decorated wrestler continues his transition into MMA.
Steveson is undefeated and scored a first-round victory in his UFC debut. His wrestling pedigree gives him an obvious foundation, but UFC’s own preview identifies the development of his pacing and ability to manage his tools as an important part of his progression.
Sharaf represents another test of Steveson’s ability to deal with a legitimate striking threat.
Preliminary Card Fights to Watch
Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain
This could be one of the most competitive fights on the prelims.
Vera is attempting to snap a four-fight losing streak, while Canadian Charles Jourdain has won three straight since moving down to bantamweight. Jourdain most recently defeated Kyler Phillips by unanimous decision in Winnipeg.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne
Heavyweight power is always capable of changing a fight instantly.
Tuivasa is looking to reverse a difficult run, while Despaigne returns to the UFC following a knockout victory over Junior Dos Santos and a successful stretch in Karate Combat.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira
Both middleweights have serious finishing ability.
Shahbazyan is coming off a Fight of the Night performance against Brendan Allen, while Ferreira enters following consecutive losses.
Casey O’Neill vs. Eduarda Moura
O’Neill has won two straight and returned from a lengthy absence with a first-round knockout. Moura has experience in the UFC flyweight division but is looking to rebound after a decision loss.
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UFC 331 Main Card
1. Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 — Flyweight Championship
2. Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy — Lightweight
3. Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi — Featherweight
4. Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski — Light Heavyweight
5. Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf — Heavyweight
The prelims include Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain, Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne, Michael Aswell Jr. vs. JooSang Yoo, and Ryan Gandra vs. Ozzy Diaz, with Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira, Casey O’Neill vs. Eduarda Moura, and Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito on the early portion of the card.
Three Keys to UFC 331
1. Can Van control the range?
Keeping Pantoja from consistently entering grappling exchanges will be central to Van’s championship defense.
2. Can Pantoja turn the fight into a physical contest?
The former champion’s grappling and submission ability could dramatically change the fight if he gets extended control time.
3. Can Tsarukyan handle Ruffy’s striking?
The co-main event could become a major lightweight statement fight depending on whether Tsarukyan can impose his wrestling.
UFC 331 has an obvious centerpiece: Van and Pantoja finally get the full fight they never had the first time.
Van arrives with the confidence of a young champion who has already successfully defended the belt. Pantoja arrives with the experience of a former champion determined to reclaim it.
The rest of the card provides plenty of heavyweight power, lightweight title implications, veteran names and rising prospects.
My fight prediction: Joshua Van by decision.
The expectation is a much longer and more competitive fight than their first meeting, with Van’s activity and striking volume potentially proving decisive over five rounds.
UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2
Saturday, September 19 — Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Early Prelims: 5:30 p.m. ET |
Prelims: 7 p.m. ET |
Main Card: 9 p.m. ET
