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Van vs. Pantoja Rematch: Injury Settles Bout!
6 Aug
Summary
- Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja rematch for Flyweight title.
- Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy in key Lightweight bout.
- UFC 331 takes place September 19, 2026 in Los Angeles.
Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Los Angeles, California, for UFC 331 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The main event features a highly anticipated rematch for the UFC Flyweight Championship between champion Joshua Van and former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja. Their initial bout at UFC 323 concluded within 26 seconds after Pantoja suffered a dislocated elbow, awarding the title to Van in an unfortunate turn of events.
Since then, Joshua Van has successfully defended his title once, defeating Tatsuro Taira. He enters UFC 331 on a seven-fight win streak. Alexandre Pantoja, who had an impressive eight-fight winning streak prior to his injury, has been rehabilitating and aims to regain the championship belt.
The co-main event will see No. 2 ranked Lightweight Arman Tsarukyan compete against the explosive Brazilian striker Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan's last UFC appearance was a dominant win over Dan Hooker. Ruffy is known for his devastating striking, having recently knocked out former title challenger Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev.
This event sets the stage for significant shifts in both the Flyweight and Lightweight divisions, with unfinished business at the top and rising contenders vying for supremacy.
