Pantoja targets flyweight title revenge against Van in UFC 331 main event
Alexandre Pantoja gets his rematch against Joshua Van at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, nine months after losing the flyweight belt to Van following a first-round injury.
Alexandre Pantoja will challenge Joshua Van for the UFC flyweight title at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the promotion confirmed, with the rematch headlining a five-fight main card. Pantoja lost the belt to Van last December after suffering an injury in the first round, and the return bout is among the most anticipated rematches in the flyweight division’s recent history.
In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan makes his long-awaited return to the octagon against rising lightweight Mauricio Ruffy. A win for either man could position them as the next challenger to UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
Patricio Pitbull, who has gone 1-2 in his three UFC appearances since crossing over from Bellator, faces Doo Ho Choi, who enters the contest on a three-fight winning streak. The featherweight matchup adds another layer of intrigue to a card built around redemption narratives.
Former featherweight title contender Brian Ortega is once again booked to face Renato Moicano, a fight that was previously scheduled earlier this year before Ortega withdrew. Both men will be eager to settle the unfinished business when they finally share the cage in Los Angeles.
Alonzo Menifield opens the main card against Iwo Baraniewski in a light heavyweight contest.
UFC 331 main card — September 19, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 (flyweight title)
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy (lightweight)
Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi (featherweight)
Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega (lightweight)
Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski (light heavyweight)
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