# Van vs. Pantoja 2 Anchors UFC 331: Flyweight Redemption and Lightweight Elimination at Crypto.com Arena

**By Rosa Delgado**  \nPublished September 17, 2026  \nUpdated September 17, 2026

> After an injury cut their first title fight short at 26 seconds, Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja meet again in Los Angeles while Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy clash for lightweight positioning.

When Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja step into the Octagon at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, the 125-pound division finally gets the definitive closure it was denied late last year. Their initial clash ended abruptly after just 26 seconds when Pantoja suffered a dislocated arm and elbow injury, handing Van the flyweight championship under sudden circumstances. Official event records from Paramount+ reflect the title change at UFC 323, while secondary reports reference UFC 322, but the underlying reality is identical: Pantoja’s dominant four-defense reign ended not by a tactical breakdown, but by a freak physical failure.

Since that chaotic night, both fighters have worked to re-establish absolute authority. Van (17-2-0) quieted initial skeptics by digging deep for a fifth-round TKO against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 in May, proving his stamina and composure under high-championship pressure. Pantoja (30-6-0) underwent extensive rehabilitation to secure his spot as the division's No. 1-ranked challenger. Headlining UFC 331—which streams live on Paramount+ without additional pay-per-view fees—the rematch pairs an emerging champion determined to solidify his reign against a veteran champion intent on reclaiming the belt he never lost in active combat.

## Flyweight Title Rematch: Van's Title Validation Meets Pantoja's Unfinished Business

The pre-fight dynamics leading into Los Angeles reveal two distinct mindsets. Pantoja has brushed aside promotional posturing, choosing instead to concentrate entirely on tactical preparation inside the cage without manufacturing artificial drama. Yet despite their controlled public demeanor, both combatants have forecasted an early stoppage finish, signaling that neither plans to rely on the judges' scorecards over 25 minutes.

blockquote>Sherdog ReportingAlexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van both claim to have tricks up their sleeves for their rematch, with Pantoja fully focused on reclaiming the title rather than selling fight drama.

For Van, this second encounter represents a chance to demonstrate that holding the belt is no stroke of fortune. His late stoppage of Taira showcased sharp distance management and deep endurance. For Pantoja, who built his title legacy on relentless pressure and elite mat control, the fight is about restoring the established hierarchy at 125 pounds.

## Lightweight Elimination: Tsarukyan's Positioning Against Ruffy's Explosive Danger

The five-round co-main event carries major structural stakes for the lightweight division. No. 2-ranked Arman Tsarukyan (23-3-0) takes on No. 7-ranked Mauricio Ruffy (14-2-0) in a contest framed as a direct doorway to a fight against division champion Justin Gaethje.

The path to this booking required late adjustments. Tsarukyan was originally tracking toward a rumored rematch against current BMF champion Charles Oliveira, but that contest failed to materialize following the tragic passing of Oliveira’s close friend Allan Nascimento. Ruffy stepped into the spotlight coming off a standout knockout victory over Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

**Coaching Insight:** American Top Team muay thai coach Anderson França noted publicly that Tsarukyan presents a tricky stylistic challenge for Mauricio Ruffy, describing Tsarukyan as Ruffy’s worst stylistic matchup.

Independent tactical analysis suggests Tsarukyan’s compact wrestling posture, persistent level changes, and chain-takedown mechanics could test Ruffy’s turnover defense over five rounds. Tsarukyan enters Crypto.com Arena riding a five-fight winning streak, relying on aggressive positional control. Ruffy offers immediate striking danger and explosive sequence finishing, making early defensive positioning paramount.

## Card Roster & Late Changes at Crypto.com Arena

Beyond the top two bouts, UFC 331 includes notable movement across multiple weight divisions. Lightweight contender Renato Moicano publicly expressed frustration toward Brian Ortega after Ortega was forced to withdraw from their scheduled main card contest. Elsewhere, heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson (4-0-0) returns against Sean Sharaf (4-2-0), and bantamweight staple Marlon "Chito" Vera (23-12-1) tests Charles Jourdain (18-8-1).

caption UFC 331 Key Main & Preliminary Card BoutsMatchupWeight ClassFighter RecordsStakes / ContextJoshua Van vs. Alexandre PantojaFlyweight17-2-0 vs. 30-6-0UFC Flyweight Championship RematchArman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio RuffyLightweight23-3-0 vs. 14-2-05-Round Title Eliminator (Winner vs. Gaethje)Patricio Freire vs. Doo Ho ChoiFeatherweight37-9-0 vs. 17-4-1Featherweight Main Card FeatureMarlon Vera vs. Charles JourdainBantamweight23-12-1 vs. 18-8-1Bantamweight Contender ClashGable Steveson vs. Sean SharafHeavyweight4-0-0 vs. 4-2-0Heavyweight Prospect Assessment

## Evidence-Led Forecast: Tactical Trajectories & Key Matchup Leverage

**Likely Tactical Pattern:** Look for Pantoja to establish early center-cage priority, seeking body locks and clinch entries to neutralize Van’s range striking. Pantoja must prevent Van from finding the high-volume rhythm that eventually overwhelmed Taira late in their fight. Conversely, Van will look to counter Pantoja’s entry angles with straight punches and quick lateral pivots, aiming to extend the fight into deep championship rounds where conditioning becomes decisive.

**Decisive Matchup:** The central leverage point in the co-main event centers on Tsarukyan’s cage-enclosure wrestling against Ruffy’s frame-building and space management. If Tsarukyan forces Ruffy to the fence in round one and initiates consistent mat work, he can systematically diminish the explosive power Ruffy displayed against Chandler.

**Strongest Counter-Case:** Ruffy’s sharp striking counters could expose Tsarukyan if Tsarukyan lowers his head when shooting double-leg entries. A timed knee or straight right hand during an entry could break Tsarukyan’s grappling rhythm before he establishes ground control.

**What Would Change the Read:** If Pantoja shows full rotational strength and uncompromised arm mobility in grappling scrambles without defensive hesitation, his routes to back control and submission attempts expand significantly. In the co-main event, if Tsarukyan chooses to stay at range in the opening three minutes rather than enforcing immediate grappling, Ruffy’s precise punch selection substantially increases the potential for a knockout upset.

## Sources

- [apps.apple.com](https://apps.apple.com/de/app/ufc/id534568162) — original
- [sherdog.com](https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-331-Van-vs-Pantoja-2-113633) — original
- [paramountplus.com](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/how-to-watch-ufc-331/) — original
- [ufcdailynews.com](https://ufcdailynews.com/ufc-331-joshua-van-vs-alexandre-pantoja-2/) — original