Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja 2: The story behind UFC 331’s flyweight title rematch

Van vs Pantoja 2 brings Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja back together for a UFC flyweight title rematch on 19 September 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Their first meeting ended after just 26 seconds due to Pantoja’s elbow injury. Since then, Van has defended the belt while Pantoja has earned another shot at the title, setting the stage for UFC 331 to settle their unfinished rivalry.

How Van vs Pantoja 2 came about

The story behind the UFC 331 main event begins with their first fight at UFC 323 in December 2025. Pantoja entered as the reigning flyweight champion, while Van had earned his title opportunity after an impressive run that saw him establish himself as one of the division’s leading contenders.

The fight ended just 26 seconds in when Pantoja suffered an elbow injury, handing Van the flyweight title in an unusually brief contest that left their matchup largely unresolved.

The circumstances made a rematch a natural next chapter. Van has since strengthened his position as champion, while Pantoja has the opportunity to reclaim the title he lost through injury rather than a conventional defeat.

Van vs Pantoja 2

Joshua Van’s rapid rise to UFC champion

Joshua Van’s path to the UFC flyweight championship has been remarkably fast. Before earning his first title opportunity, the Myanmar-born fighter built his reputation through an active schedule and a series of important victories in the division.

His championship reign quickly gained credibility. At UFC 328 in May 2026, Van successfully defended his flyweight title against former title challenger Tatsuro Taira. The victory showed that Van could handle the pressure of defending the belt against another leading contender.

That result strengthens the story of Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja 2. Van now returns as an established champion, with UFC 331 offering him the chance to defend his title and prove himself against the former champion over a full fight.

Joshua Van’s rapid rise to UFC champion.

Alexandre Pantoja’s unfinished championship story

Before facing Van, Alexandre Pantoja had built one of the strongest championship records in the UFC flyweight division. He successfully defended the title four times against Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura, and Kai Kara-France before his reign ended against Van.

Pantoja now returns with the chance to reclaim the belt. A victory would make him only the third UFC flyweight champion to regain the championship after losing it, following Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo.

That gives the rematch significance beyond revenge. Pantoja is fighting to restore a championship legacy that was interrupted in one of the most unusual circumstances possible.

Alexandre Pantoja’s unfinished championship story.

What could be different in the rematch?

The first meeting offers little insight into how a full five-round fight might unfold, making Van vs Pantoja 2 intriguing. Van enters as a defending champion, with his win over Taira highlighting his composure and ability to perform under pressure.

Pantoja brings extensive championship experience and four successful title defences, giving him valuable experience as he looks to reclaim the belt.

The rematch therefore raises several questions. Can Van’s development keep him ahead of the former champion? Can Pantoja use his experience to change the outcome this time? Most importantly, what happens when these two finally have the opportunity to fight beyond the opening seconds?

Why Van vs Pantoja 2 is one of UFC 331’s key storylines

Van is now the defending champion with a successful title defence behind him. Pantoja is the former champion returning for another opportunity at the belt. Between them sits an unfinished fight that lasted less than half a minute the first time around.

That combination makes the UFC flyweight title rematch more than a conventional championship fight. It is a chance to finally see what happens when two of the division’s leading fighters have the opportunity to complete the contest they never truly got to start.

UFC 331 will also feature a five-round lightweight co-main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy, adding another major matchup to the Los Angeles card.

Experience Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja 2 in Los Angeles

For guests travelling to Los Angeles, Van vs Pantoja 2 can become the centrepiece of a wider sporting weekend around UFC 331.

MA Hospitality Group supports clients attending leading international sporting events with premium access, hospitality packages, and tailored travel planning. From arrival in Los Angeles to fight night, each part of the journey can be coordinated around individual preferences.

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