UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja – Full Fight Preview
UFC 331 brings a highly anticipated flyweight championship rematch to Los Angeles as reigning champion Joshua Van faces former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja for the second time.
The pair first met at UFC 323 in December 2025, when Van won the flyweight championship after Pantoja was forced out of the contest by an elbow injury just 26 seconds into the opening round.
This time, there is a full championship fight scheduled between the two. Van enters as the reigning UFC flyweight champion after successfully defending his belt against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 in May 2026.
Pantoja returns for his first fight since the injury and will attempt to reclaim the title and become a two-time UFC flyweight champion.
With the UFC flyweight championship on the line, UFC 331 is one of the promotion’s biggest events of September 2026. The card takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy scheduled as the five-round co-main event.
When Is UFC 331?
UFC 331 is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September 2026. The event will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, with the main card scheduled to begin at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
As with any UFC event, the precise start time of individual fights can change according to the length of earlier bouts. The main event between Van and Pantoja is scheduled for five rounds, so its walkout and opening bell will depend on how quickly the preceding fights are completed.
For international viewers, local start times vary. UK viewers should note that the 9pm ET main-card start corresponds to 2am BST on Sunday, 20 September. The prelims begin at midnight BST, while the early prelims are scheduled for 10:30pm BST on Saturday. These times are calculated from the official US schedule and the UK daylight-saving time applicable in September.
Where Is UFC 331 Going To Be?
UFC 331 will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The venue will host the championship rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
The Los Angeles setting adds another chapter to Pantoja’s relationship with the United States. Pantoja has previously spoken about Los Angeles being the first US city he visited, and he returns there as the challenger rather than the champion.
For Van, UFC 331 represents another major championship occasion following his title-winning performance against Pantoja at UFC 323 and his successful defence against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328.
The champion has already shown that he can perform in high-pressure fights, but the rematch gives Pantoja an opportunity to challenge him over a scheduled full championship distance.
Travel, preparation and time-zone differences can all form part of a fighter’s fight-week routine, but the most important factor for viewers is the confirmed event schedule. Crypto.com Arena will host the full card, with the early prelims, prelims and main card taking place on the same day.
What Time Does UFC 331 Start?
The UFC 331 main card is scheduled to start at 9pm ET / 6pm PT on Saturday, 19 September 2026. The prelims are scheduled for 7pm ET / 4pm PT, while the early prelims begin at 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm PT.
For viewers in the UK, the main card is scheduled to begin at 2am BST on Sunday, 20 September. The prelims are scheduled to begin at midnight BST, with the early prelims starting at 10:30pm BST on Saturday.
The Van vs. Pantoja championship fight will headline the card, so it will take place after the other main-card contests. The exact walkout time cannot be guaranteed because it depends on how long the preceding fights last.
Who Is Fighting at UFC 331?
The UFC 331 card currently features the following confirmed matchups:
Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja – UFC Flyweight Championship
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy – Lightweight
Patricio Pitbull vs. Dooho Choi – Featherweight
Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf – Heavyweight
Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski – Light Heavyweight
The confirmed prelims currently include:
Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain – Bantamweight
Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne – Heavyweight
Michael Aswell Jr. vs. JooSang Yoo – Featherweight
Ryan Gandra vs. Ozzy Diaz – Middleweight
The early prelims include Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira, Casey O’Neill vs. Eduarda Moura and Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito.
The UFC has also confirmed a change to the card. Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega was removed after Ortega suffered an injury, and Moicano was subsequently moved to a separate UFC Fight Night against Tom Nolan on 31 October.
The co-main event between Tsarukyan and Ruffy is scheduled for five rounds. Tsarukyan enters the matchup ranked No. 2 at lightweight, while Ruffy is ranked No. 7, making it an important fight for the lightweight division.
Joshua Van Fight Record
Joshua Van enters UFC 331 with a professional record of 17 wins and 2 losses, according to his UFC profile.
He has nine knockout victories and two wins by submission. His most recent fight was a fifth-round TKO victory over Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 on 9 May 2026, which earned him his first successful defence of the UFC flyweight championship.
Van’s rise to the title accelerated in 2025. He defeated Pantoja at UFC 323 after the champion suffered an elbow injury just 26 seconds into the first round, becoming the UFC flyweight champion in the process. The victory was followed by his successful title defence against Taira in May 2026.
The rematch gives Van an opportunity to establish his championship reign against Pantoja over a complete fight rather than an injury-shortened contest. His striking output, pace and ability to maintain offensive pressure will be important elements of the matchup.
Alexandre Pantoja Fight Record
Alexandre Pantoja enters UFC 331 with a professional record of 30 wins and 6 losses, according to his UFC profile. He has eight knockout victories and 12 wins by submission, underlining the breadth of his finishing game.
Pantoja held the UFC flyweight championship before losing the belt to Van at UFC 323. Before that result, he had successfully defended the title four times, defeating Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France during his championship reign.
Pantoja now returns as the challenger with a chance to reclaim the championship. His submission ability and grappling remain central parts of his game, while his experience in five-round title fights gives him a substantial amount of championship experience heading into the rematch. UFC’s preview also highlights his recent submission victories over Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France before the first Van fight.
Who Are The Favourites at UFC 331?
The betting picture can change as UFC 331 approaches, so prices should be checked against the latest available market rather than relying on older figures from the original article.
UFC 331 sets up a particularly interesting flyweight championship rematch. Joshua Van enters as the reigning champion after winning the belt from Pantoja and defending it against Tatsuro Taira, while Pantoja returns for the first time since the injury that ended their original meeting.
Anyone considering betting should check the latest prices with their licensed bookmaker before placing a wager. Odds can change because of injuries, weigh-ins, betting activity and other developments, and they do not guarantee a particular result.
Bet on UFC 331 at Bet442
Bet442 offers markets across the main event, co-main event and other scheduled bouts.
Because betting markets and prices can change before an event, readers should check the latest available markets before placing a bet.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.