Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 19
Joshua Van Defends Flyweight Title Against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 as Paramount+ Streams 13 Events
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 19

Joshua Van Defends Flyweight Title Against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 as Paramount+ Streams 13 Events

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Sep 19

Summary

  • Saturday’s UFC 331 main event at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena pits champion Joshua Van against Alexandre Pantoja in a flyweight rematch after Van retained the belt against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328.
  • Their first meeting at UFC 323 ended in less than 30 seconds when Pantoja suffered an arm injury, handing Van the title by injury TKO and setting up Pantoja’s bid to reclaim the crown.
  • Paramount+ will carry the full card with no extra pay-per-view fee, with early prelims starting at 5:30 p.m. ET, prelims at 7 p.m. and the main card at 9 p.m.
  • Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event, with Tsarukyan needing a win to stay on track for a lightweight title shot.
  • Van enters as a slight -135 favorite over Pantoja at +114, while the event also highlights UFC’s broader seven-year Paramount+ deal running through 2033.

Insights

Will Alexandre Pantoja avenge his freak 26-second injury, or is Joshua Van truly the new king of the flyweights?
Can Mauricio Ruffy’s devastating knockout power shock the MMA world and derail Arman Tsarukyan’s undeniable championship momentum?
How will the intense personal animosity and controversial accusations impact the highly anticipated clash between Steveson and Sharaf?