LOS ANGELES — September 19, 2026 — Joshua Van answered the biggest question surrounding his UFC flyweight championship reign at UFC 331, defeating former champion Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision in a highly anticipated rematch at Crypto.com Arena.
Van won on the judges’ scorecards 49-46, 49-47 and 50-45, retaining the 125-pound championship.
Main Event: Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja
Pantoja started strongly, scoring an early takedown and taking the opening round.
Van gradually took control with his speed, boxing and volume striking.
The champion repeatedly found his target on the feet and began pulling away as the fight progressed.
Pantoja had success with his grappling, particularly in the fourth round, but Van responded strongly in the fifth, including a knockdown that helped seal the victory.
The five-round performance gave Van a clear decision victory and established the rematch as a very different fight from their first meeting.
Result: Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja — Unanimous Decision, 49-46, 49-47, 50-45
Title: Van retains UFC Flyweight Championship.
Co-Main Event: Tsarukyan scores spectacular KO
Arman Tsarukyan produced one of the night’s biggest highlights, stopping Mauricio Ruffy with four seconds remaining in Round 1.
After Ruffy resisted Tsarukyan’s early grappling attempts, Tsarukyan turned the fight around with a devastating pair of elbows that knocked Ruffy unconscious. The victory extended Tsarukyan’s winning streak to six fights.
Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Mauricio Ruffy — KO/TKO, Round 1, 4:56.
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire makes statement
Former Bellator two-division champion Patricio Pitbull delivered his first UFC knockout, stopping Doo Ho Choi at 3:28 of Round 1.
Pitbull hurt Choi repeatedly on the feet before finishing the fight with a right hand. Choi entered the bout riding a four-fight unbeaten streak, which came to an end.
Result: Patricio Pitbull def. Doo Ho Choi — KO, Round 1, 3:28.
Sean Sharaf shocks Gable Steveson
One of the card’s biggest upsets came when Sean Sharaf knocked out Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson just 12 seconds into their heavyweight bout.
Sharaf connected with a left hand that immediately ended the fight, producing the third-fastest heavyweight finish in UFC history according to theScore’s report.
Result: Sean Sharaf def. Gable Steveson — KO, Round 1, 0:12.
Alonzo Menifield wins split decision
Alonzo Menifield survived a difficult battle with undefeated prospect Iwo Baraniewski to win by split decision.
The judges scored it 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 for Menifield. Baraniewski suffered the first professional defeat of his career.
Prelim Highlights
Marlon Vera def. Charles Jourdain — TKO, Round 3, 2:02.
Robelis Despaigne def. Tai Tuivasa — Split Decision, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
Michael Aswell Jr. def. Joo Sang Yoo — Split Decision.
Ryan Gandra def. Ozzy Diaz — TKO, Round 1, 2:04.
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brunno Ferreira — Unanimous Decision, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
Casey O’Neill def. Eduarda Moura — Submission, armbar, Round 1, 3:22.
Joanderson Brito def. Giga Chikadze — KO, Round 1, 1:57.
Night’s Biggest Moments
Van’s championship performance: The champion overcame Pantoja’s strong start and grappling to win a clear five-round decision.
Tsarukyan’s elbows: The lightweight contender produced a spectacular late-round knockout of Ruffy.
Sharaf’s upset: The 12-second knockout of Steveson was one of the most stunning results of the night.
Pitbull’s UFC breakthrough: Freire recorded his first UFC finish with a first-round knockout of Choi.
