UFC Flyweight champion Joshua Van will once again put his belt on the line when he takes on former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch of their 2025 title bout at UFC331, while the popular Arman Tsarukyan will mark his return to action at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday morning.
Main card set to commence at 03am (CAT, GMT+2).
Van (17-2-0) heads into his latest challenge following a TKO win over Tatsuro Taira where he defended his Flyweight crown at UFC328 in May.
Prior to his fight against Taira, Van claimed the Flyweight title at UFC323 after Pantoja suffered an arm injury in the first round, giving the Myanmar star a clear path to victory last December. The 24-year-old now finds himself on a seven-fight win streak in the UFC, while Pantoja (30-6-0) will hope to avenge his loss.
During his reign as UFC Flyweight champion, Pantoja made four impressive title defenses and last tasted victory in June 2025 when the 36-year-old defeated Kai Kara-France via a rare-naked choke in the third round at UFC317.
Regarded as one of the best Flyweights of his era, Pantoja claimed high-profile wins over Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg during his time in the UFC.
Speaking ahead of the UFC331 event, Van revealed all was cordial between the two fighters after their first encounter, until Pantoja annoyed him with sentiments shared in various interviews afterward.
Van thus expressed that UFC331 presents him the opportunity to set matters straight, as he is eager to prove his worth as the promotion’s Flyweight king.
“That’s what we’re here to find out – if that was a fluke or not,” Van said.
“He was so respectful after the fight, and I was, too. I walked up to him, I told him sorry. He said sorry, and then he made videos saying it was my destiny to be a champion, and I was like – this guy, I respect him so much for that. And I already respected him so much before that because he’s like one of the greatest of all time in my eyes.
“And he goes on podcasts or interviews and talking crazy. ‘You beat me as a fighter, but as a man, you didn’t beat me.’ I’m like, what the f*ck are you talking about? That sh*t just kind of annoyed me.
“I’m like, damn, bro. So you’re not a fighter? Like what? I don’t get where he’s coming at. This is why we’re here, man – to really find out.”
Also making an appearance is Arman Tsarukyan, who last featured in a submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan v Hooker in November 2025 where he claimed the Performance of the Night bonus.
Regarded as one of the UFC’s most marketable talents, the 29-year-old will now take on Mauricio Ruffy in the Co-main event as he eyes a potential title shot in the near future.
UFC 331 Main Card:
Joshua Van v Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight – Main event)
Arman Tsarukyan v Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight – Co-main)
Patricio Pitbull v Choi Doo-ho (Featherweight)
Alonzo Menfield v Iwo Baraniewski (Light Heavyweight)