Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja are running it back this Saturday at UFC 331, and if you think the first fight was wild, just wait. Pantoja’s lengthy reign as flyweight champion ended in their first meeting at UFC 323, where Van shockingly took the title by injury TKO less than 30 seconds into the bout. Now, the flyweight supremacy is on the line again from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Flyweight Crown Is Up For Grabs Again
Can you even believe how the first one ended? Pantoja went down with an arm injury so fast, it left everyone stunned. That’s how Van became champ! Since then, Van hasn’t been sitting around, either. He successfully defended that title in an impressive showing against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328. Meanwhile, Pantoja has been recovering, laser-focused, waiting for this exact moment: his shot to regain that crown. This isn’t just a fight; it’s a redemption story, pure and simple. You know Pantoja is coming in with a fire under him unlike anything we’ve seen.
Lightweight Chaos: Tsarukyan Hunts a Title Shot
The co-main event also has some serious, serious stakes brewing at lightweight. We’ve got Arman Tsarukyan battling Mauricio Ruffy, and trust me, this isn’t one to skip. Tsarukyan is right on the verge of a title shot, but first, he absolutely needs to get past the dangerous, hard-hitting Ruffy. This guy Tsarukyan has been on a tear, racking up four wins since 2023 against some seriously tough names: Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, and Dan Hooker. A win on Saturday should solidify his spot, securing him a shot at either Justin Gaethje or whoever is holding the lightweight title when he’s ready to fight again. Talk about high stakes!
Don’t Miss a Second: How to Catch UFC 331
You absolutely can’t miss a second of this action. UFC 331 is live from Los Angeles this Saturday, and the best way to catch every single punch, kick, and submission is on Paramount+. It’s the exclusive home for all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights for a whopping seven years, all the way through 2033. Plans kick off at just $8.99 a month or $89.99 for the whole year. You don’t just get the live fights either; a subscription gets you an extensive archive of UFC content, including classic fights, champion features, UFC Embedded, exclusive athlete interviews, and expert previews for every numbered event. Plus, your Paramount+ subscription hooks you up with NFL on CBS, UCL games, March Madness, the Big Ten, and hundreds of other sporting events every year. So clear your schedule, grab your snacks, and get ready for a night of incredible fights. Early prelims start at 5:30 p.m. ET, prelims at 7 p.m. ET, and the main card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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