Pantoja Vows Joshua Van Will Suffer in UFC 331 Rematch After 26-Second Title Loss
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Sep 18
Pantoja Vows Joshua Van Will Suffer in UFC 331 Rematch After 26-Second Title Loss
3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Sep 18
Summary
Alexandre Pantoja said Joshua Van will “suffer” in Saturday’s UFC 331 main event as the former flyweight champion tries to reclaim the belt he lost in December.
That first fight ended just 26 seconds in when Pantoja broke his arm and could not continue, turning Van into champion and fueling a more personal rivalry ahead of the rematch.
Pantoja said he is prepared to strike or grapple over five rounds, pointing to a balanced finishing record of 8 knockouts, 12 submissions and 10 decisions.
Van enters after a successful title defense against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328, while Pantoja is trying to restart a run that had included six marquee wins before the injury loss.
Will Alexandre Pantoja's quest for revenge blind his tactical grappling, or can he reclaim his UFC flyweight crown from Joshua Van?
With flyweights rarely headlining major events, will this high-stakes striker-versus-grappler rematch solidify Van's reign or restore Pantoja's legacy?