Joshua Van solidified his status as the UFC flyweight champion by decisively defeating former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch at UFC 331, held Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The five-round contest came nearly a year after their initial bout, which ended prematurely due to an injury to Pantoja, leading to some debate over the legitimacy of Van’s first win.

Van, whose professional record now stands at 18-2, addressed the controversy directly following his latest victory. “A lot of people said that was an accidental win the first time,” he said, referring to the 2025 matchup. “Now doubt me now.” His dominant performance left little room for dispute, as he managed to control the fight through all rounds, securing unanimous approval from the judges.

Pantoja, who entered the rematch with a 30-7 record, aimed to reclaim the championship but was unable to overcome Van’s strategy and resilience during the bout. The fight marked a significant moment in Van’s career, providing clear vindication after the inconclusive nature of their previous encounter.

In the co-main event, lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy delivered a memorable showdown. Tsarukyan, ranked second in the division with a 24-3 record, delivered a first-round knockout over seventh-ranked Ruffy, whose record fell to 14-3. The finish was both unexpected and emphatic, enhancing Tsarukyan’s standing among the top lightweight contenders.

UFC 331 showcased the depth of talent in the organization’s lighter weight classes, with both main events highlighting the competitive nature of the divisions and the unpredictability of mixed martial arts. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Van continues to defend his flyweight title and Tsarukyan makes his case for a future title shot in the lightweight category.