Alexandre Pantoja is stepping back into the octagon this Saturday, September 19, for a rematch that is absolutely loaded with drama against Joshua Van, seeking what the source calls “unique revenge.” This isn’t just another title defense, this is the second time these two will battle for the flyweight strap in nine months, and their first encounter ended in some seriously strange circumstances.
The 26-Second Upset That Demanded a Rematch
Remember last December? Pantoja was defending his flyweight title against Van, and just 26 seconds into the fight, disaster struck. Pantoja suffered an injury, and Van snatched the belt in that wild, controversial fashion. Van, the Myanmar native, became champion, but you know how it is in the fight game, a win like that makes for a “divisive champion.” Everyone was talking about it! But credit where it’s due: Van absolutely legitimized his reign back in May. He stepped back into the cage and won a straight-up war against Tatsuro Taira, ultimately stopping his challenger in the final round. That’s how you silence the critics! Now, if Van, at just 24 years old, truly wants to cement his status as the undisputed flyweight king, he absolutely has to beat the 36-year-old Brazilian, Pantoja, definitively. This Saturday at UFC 331, live from the Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, he gets his monumental shot to prove it. The oddsmakers have Van as the favorite at 8/11, but Pantoja at 11/10 isn’t far behind. You know Pantoja is coming for that belt, and he’s ready to make this revenge anything but unique. This isn’t just about a title, it’s about clearing the air and proving who the better fighter truly is.
Loaded Undercard and How to Catch Every Punch
Before the main event fireworks explode, the co-main event promises another absolute banger: Arman Tsarukyan takes on fellow lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan is the heavy favorite at 1/3 odds, with Ruffy at 9/4, so you know Tsarukyan is looking to make a massive statement in the lightweight division. But the card is stacked beyond just those two headliners! We’re talking Patricio Pitbull vs Dooho Choi in a featherweight clash, Renato Moicano vs Brian Ortega at lightweight, and Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski at light-heavyweight. And keep your eyes peeled for wrestling phenom Gable Steveson, making his second UFC appearance against Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight bout. Plus, you’ve got Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain, Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne, Michael Aswell Jr vs Joosang Yoo, and a whole bunch of early prelims and prelims like Ryan Gandra vs Ozzy Diaz, Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira, Casey O’Neill vs Eduarda Moura, and Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito, rounding out this absolute beast of a fight night.
The early prelims kick off at 2pm PT, with the regular prelims at 4pm PT. Then, the main card, where all the title action goes down, starts at 6pm PT on Saturday. In the US, you can stream every single punch on Paramount+, with CBS even showing a segment of the card. Get ready, because this is going to be a night for the history books.
This is more than just a fight, it’s a chance for Van to definitively shut down any remaining doubters, and for Pantoja to reclaim what he absolutely feels was unfairly taken. The flyweight division is about to get a clear, undisputed answer to who the true champion really is. You do not want to miss this showdown.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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