UFC 331: Joshua Van beats Alexandre Pantoja in rematch to retain flyweight title

Joshua Van retained his flyweight title with a commanding win over Alexandre Pantoja of their rematch at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old from Myanmar beat Brazilian Pantoja in December 2025 after Pantoja suffered an unintended elbow dislocation 26 seconds into the struggle.

Van, the primary UFC champion born within the 2000s, defended the belt in opposition to Tatsuro Taira in May however can now declare to be the perfect within the division after soundly beating 36-year-old Pantoja once more.

“Lots of people stated that was an unintended win, properly, doubt me now,” Van stated after extending his skilled MMA document to 18 wins and two losses.

Pantoja took Van down within the first spherical, earlier than touchdown heavy punches and knees in a fiery change, as Van retaliated with a slicing elbow.

Van, who moved to the United States when he was 12, then peppered Pantoja with left-handed jabs within the second spherical, and rocked the Brazilian with a fluid mixture of punches within the third.

Pantoja managed the fourth spherical as he took Van down however was unable to submit him.

In the ultimate spherical, Van stalked Pantoja and knocked him down with an overhand proper, securing the win within the judges’ scorecards.

Scottish fighter Casey O’Neill additionally gained on the night time, beating Eduarda Moura with an armbar submission.