This weekend, Alexandre Pantoja aims to settle the score with Joshua Van in their second flyweight title showdown within just nine months. Their first encounter ended abruptly in December when Pantoja got injured only 26 seconds in, allowing Van to claim the belt under unusual circumstances.
Van’s reign as champion sparked debate, especially since he legitimized his title in May by enduring a brutal battle against Tatsuro Taira, finishing him in the final round. To firmly establish himself as the flyweight king, Van must decisively defeat Pantoja, who now gets a shot at reclaiming the title at UFC 331.
The main event will feature this highly anticipated rematch between the 24-year-old Van and the 36-year-old Brazilian Pantoja. In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan faces off against Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight clash. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is UFC 331?
UFC 331 is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Early prelims start at 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), regular prelims take place at midnight BST Sunday (4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET Saturday), and the main card begins at 2am BST Sunday (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET Saturday).
How to Watch
In the UK, the event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and available via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports. In the US, Paramount+ streams the fights live, with CBS airing parts of the card.
Betting Odds
Joshua Van is favored at 8/11, while Alexandre Pantoja is at 11/10. In the lightweight contest, Arman Tsarukyan is the favorite at 1/3, with Mauricio Ruffy at 9/4.
Full Fight Card (subject to change; ‘C’ indicates a champion)
Main Card:
- Joshua Van (C) vs Alexandre Pantoja 2 (Flyweight title)
- Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
- Patricio Pitbull vs Dooho Choi (Featherweight)
- Renato Moicano vs Brian Ortega (Lightweight)
- Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski (Light-Heavyweight)
Prelims:
- Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf (Heavyweight)
- Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain (Bantamweight)
- Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne (Heavyweight)
- Michael Aswell Jr vs Joosang Yoo (Featherweight)
Early Prelims:
- Ryan Gandra vs Ozzy Diaz (Middleweight)
- Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
- Casey O’Neill vs Eduarda Moura (Women’s Flyweight)
- Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Fan Take:
This rematch is crucial for fight fans because it promises to resolve lingering questions about the flyweight division’s top fighter, potentially reshaping the champion hierarchy. The stakes and talent on display at UFC 331 could significantly influence the division’s future dynamics and excite fans for what’s next in MMA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
