Joshua Van headlined UFC 331 with a strong performance against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a fight. Van won the bout via unanimous decision, marking his second successful title defense and eighth consecutive victory. The fight took place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday night.
Van’s performance showcased his growing technical skill and stamina, especially in the later rounds of the contest, according to CBS Sports. He landed a significant knockdown on Pantoja in the final round, which helped secure the win according to the source.
The judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-47 and 50-45 for Van. The victory improved Van’s professional record to 18-2.
Van has now fought twelve times inside the Octagon since joining the UFC and has become a standout performer in the flyweight division. His ability to remain sharp during championship rounds has drawn attention as he continues to build his reputation.
The rematch also gave Van a chance to settle questions left by their first fight. Van won the flyweight championship from Pantoja at UFC 323 after Pantoja suffered an elbow injury just 26 seconds into the bout. Van later made his first successful title defense against Tatsuro Taira before facing Pantoja again.
In addition to Van’s main event win, Arman Tsarukyan made a strong statement in the co-main event, according to a report from Yardbarker. Tsarukyan delivered a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy with an elbow strike, The Big Lead reported. This victory marked his sixth straight win and signaled his return to contention at 155 pounds.
Tsarukyan finished Ruffy with a pair of elbows at 4:56 of the first round. The win improved Tsarukyan’s record to 24-3.
Tsarukyan’s performance has reignited discussion about the current strength of the lightweight division. The 155-pound weight class now features a number of former champions and top contenders all active at once.
Other notable fights on the card included Sean Sharaf’s knockout of Olympic champion Gable Steveson. Steveson suffered the first loss of his professional MMA career.
Sharaf stopped Steveson with a left hook just 12 seconds into the first round. Steveson entered the bout with a 4-0 professional MMA record and had already won his UFC debut.
Another moment of drama came when Alonzo Menifield broke his thumb during a bout with Iwo Baraniewski. The injury left Menifield finishing the fight with a bone protruding through his skin.
Menifield still completed all three rounds and defeated the previously unbeaten Baraniewski by split decision. Reports said the injury was a compound fracture and occurred during the fight.
Overall, UFC 331 was filled with exciting fights and surprising outcomes across multiple weight classes. Van’s win over Pantoja was one of the most entertaining matches of the evening. His performance has elevated him further as a must-see fighter in the UFC roster.
Van’s ability to adapt and respond to opponents like Pantoja shows his evolution as a competitor. He also demonstrated his grappling ability, including a submission attempt via kimura in the final round.
Van dropped Pantoja with a right hand in the fifth round and then attacked his arm before Pantoja escaped.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan’s sixth consecutive victory has raised expectations for another title opportunity. His win over Ruffy proved he is still among the elite at 155 pounds.
The event also highlighted how experience can matter in high-level competition. Steveson’s loss ended his unbeaten 4-0 start in professional MMA.
The night’s results show that both flyweight and lightweight divisions are filled with strong contenders. With several fighters showing consistent excellence, the future of these weight classes looks promising.
IMAGE: Joshua Van Battles Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 FNP Art Department