Myanmar’s Van defeats Pantoja to retain flyweight title in UFC 331 | Mixed Martial Arts
Joshua Van Defeats Alexandre Pantoja to Retain Flyweight Title at UFC 331
Published September 20, 2026
Joshua Van successfully defended his UFC flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja, winning by unanimous decision in a decisive bout at UFC 331 held Saturday night in Los Angeles. The judges scored the fight 49-46, 49-47, and 50-45 in favor of Van.
The 24-year-old champion from Myanmar faced Pantoja in a highly anticipated rematch after their initial encounter in December 2025 ended prematurely due to an accidental injury. In that fight, Pantoja suffered an elbow dislocation just 26 seconds in, awarding Van the championship belt without a formal victory over the Brazilian, who had held the title for over two years.
In his latest title defense, Van showcased his striking skills, effectively controlling the fight against the former champion. Early in the match, Pantoja managed to take Van down and landed several significant strikes. However, Van quickly regained composure and relied on his technique to counter with an elbow strike.
“We told him not to brawl, but to be strategic,” one of Van’s coaches advised during the fight.
Van picked apart Pantoja with quick jabs in the second round and connected with a powerful combination in the third. While Pantoja demonstrated resilience, exerting pressure in the fourth round with another takedown, he was unable to secure a submission.
In the final round, Van landed an overhand right that knocked Pantoja down, sealing his victory on the scorecards. This win improves Van’s professional MMA record to 18 wins and 2 losses.
Post-fight, Van addressed previous criticisms about the legitimacy of his championship, stating, “A lot of people said that was an accidental win … well, doubt me now.”
In the co-main event, Armenian contender Arman Tsarukyan earned a potential title shot in the lightweight division after an explosive finish against Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan struck Ruffy with a left elbow followed by a decisive right elbow, securing a knockout with just four seconds remaining in the first round. Tsarukyan, riding a six-fight win streak, expressed his desire to fight champion Justin Gaethje.
Moreover, in featherweight action, former multi-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull recorded his first stoppage victory in the UFC. He finished South Korea’s Dooho Choi via TKO in just 3:28 of the opening round, halting Choi’s three-fight finishing streak.
In a surprising heavyweight bout, Sean Sharaf stunned betting favorite Gable Steveson, knocking him out in a mere 12 seconds, marking one of the fastest finishes in UFC heavyweight history. As the referee called the contest, a visibly frustrated Steveson exited the Octagon, while Sharaf celebrated his momentous victory in front of a vibrant crowd.
