LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena saw the resolution of the unfinished rivalry between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja. The 24-year-old champion Van successfully defended his UFC flyweight title, defeating former champion Pantoja by unanimous decision in a highly awaited rematch. The judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-47, and 50-45 in favor of Van, who overcame a tough opening round to dominate as the bout progressed.
Nearly nine months after their initial clash ended abruptly in just 26 seconds due to Pantoja’s elbow injury, both fighters returned to the Octagon with the title on the line. Van entered the fight boasting a seven-fight winning streak and coming off a fifth-round TKO victory over Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328. Meanwhile, Pantoja, recovering from injury, aimed to reclaim the belt he had defended four times before losing it to Van.
Pantoja started aggressively, immediately pressuring Van and mixing in takedowns to control the pace. He appeared to take the first round, setting the tone for a far closer battle than the final scorecards indicated. However, Van found his rhythm in the second and third rounds, using speed, sharp boxing, and movement to fend off Pantoja’s grappling attempts while landing effective combinations and counters. He took both rounds and headed into the late stages with momentum.
In the fourth round, Pantoja regained some ground with his grappling, securing stretches of mat control. Yet, Van saved his best for last—opening the fifth with a barrage of punches, including a powerful right hand that knocked Pantoja down. Van briefly threatened a kimura before Pantoja escaped and both fighters exchanged strikes until the final bell.
Following the win, Van was asked if Manel Kape would be his next challenger. He responded confidently, “Whoever. Whoever can get it. I’m fearless, and I never pick and choose who I fight.”
Van’s performance underscored his status as the fresher, quicker, and more dangerous competitor, finishing the fight in definitive champion fashion and improving his record to 18-2.
Tsarukyan Shines with Swift Finish
Arman Tsarukyan thrust his lightweight title hopes back into the spotlight by stopping Mauricio Ruffy near the end of the first round. Riding a five-fight winning streak and a strong 10-1 record over his last 11 bouts, Tsarukyan was originally slated to face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 but had to pull out due to a severe back injury.
Tsarukyan’s relentless pressure culminated in a brutal elbow strike that ended the fight just before the round’s close. This emphatic knockout in the co-main event likely positions Tsarukyan for his long-awaited title shot.
Heavyweight Upset Rocks the Arena
What was meant to be another milestone in Gable Steveson’s MMA career turned into a stunning upset as Sean Sharaf knocked out the Olympic wrestling gold medalist in merely 12 seconds with a perfect left hook. This finish became the third fastest knockout in UFC heavyweight history.
Steveson came in undefeated at 4-0, fresh off a first-round TKO in his UFC debut two months prior. Sharaf entered as a heavy underdog but seized a career-making moment on home turf, reminding fans how quickly heavyweight bouts can change with a single punch. This loss marks Steveson’s first professional defeat.
‘Chito’ Vera Returns to Victory
Southern California’s bantamweight standout, born in Ecuador, Roberto “Chito” Vera snapped a four-fight losing streak—all by decision—with a third-round TKO stoppage over Canadian Charles Jourdain. Vera’s unrelenting pressure, delivering right hands, uppercuts, leg kicks, and combinations, overwhelmed Jourdain and forced the referee to halt the fight in Vera’s favor.
Early Prelims Highlight Submission Skills
Casey O’Neill made a quick statement, securing a first-round submission against Eduarda Moura. Working from her back, O’Neill capitalized on a scramble to lock in an acrobatic armbar, forcing Moura to tap out. Afterward, O’Neill boldly called out contender Maycee Barber, seeking a high-profile matchup.
Upcoming Fights to Watch
- Oct. 3: UFC 332 – Silva vs. Wang (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
- Oct. 24: UFC 333 – Volkanovski vs. Evloev (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Fan Take: This night was a thrilling showcase of title defenses, stunning upsets, and rising contenders that highlight the dynamic nature of MMA. For fight fans, these outcomes promise exciting new matchups and shifting divisions, reinforcing why this sport remains so captivating and unpredictable.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
