Van retains flyweight title and Tsarukyan earns shot as UFC 331 delivers standout card

Joshua Van delivered a spectacular flyweight title defence to finally put his rivalry with Alexandre Pantoja to rest at UFC 331, while Arman Tsarukyan produced a knockout-of-the-year contender against Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event to earn a shot at lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.

Van’s performance in the main event drew widespread praise, cementing his status as the division’s dominant force after a rivalry that had stretched across multiple bouts. Tsarukyan’s finish of Ruffy was equally emphatic, positioning the Armenian contender as the clear next challenger in a stacked lightweight division.

Beyond the headline results, UFC 331 generated significant post-event discussion across the combat sports landscape. Olympic wrestling gold medallist Gable Steveson endured a difficult week, drawing attention for reasons outside the cage, while the broader MMA world continued to process the card’s implications for upcoming title pictures.

In boxing, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have officially been confirmed to meet on 11 December, with the long-awaited all-British heavyweight clash now locked in. The fight had been the subject of prolonged negotiations before finally being made official.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns on Saturday with a high-profile matchup between Darren Till and Yoel Romero, offering another crossover spectacle for combat sports fans. Meanwhile, Henry Cejudo and Tony Ferguson are both set to compete for Misfits Boxing this weekend, continuing the trend of established MMA names transitioning to the celebrity and influencer boxing circuit.

The UFC itself returns to the APEX for a Fight Night card headlined by Raul Rosas Jr. taking on Raoni Barcelos, keeping the promotion’s schedule busy in the weeks following UFC 331.