Main Event: Van Retains Flyweight Title in Instant Classic
Joshua Van may only be 24 years old, but he proved once again that he is already one of the best fighters in the world. In the main event of UFC 331 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Van defeated Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-47, 50-45) to retain his UFC flyweight title. The five-round battle was a nonstop, back-and-forth war that immediately became a contender for Fight of the Year.
The two fighters had met before, in December 2025 at UFC 323, when Pantoja suffered a freak arm injury just 26 seconds into the fight. That ended his two-year reign as champion and gave Van the title, making him the second-youngest titleholder in UFC history. Many people viewed that win as a fluke. Pantoja came into the rematch still ranked as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, while Van was ranked much lower.
After the decision was announced, Van had a message for his doubters. He said that a lot of people called his first win an accident, and he told them to doubt him now. He also gave respect to Pantoja, calling him a tough fighter. With this UFC 331 win, Van has now defended his title twice and cemented his place as the king of the 125-pound division.
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Other Main Card Results
The main card featured several other big finishes. In the lightweight division, Arman Tsarukyan made a strong case for a title shot by knocking out Mauricio Ruffy with elbows at 4:56 of the first round. It was a brutal finish that got everyone’s attention.
In featherweight action, Patricio Pitbull defeated Doo Ho Choi by TKO due to strikes at 3:28 of the first round. Pitbull showed why he is still one of the most dangerous fighters in the division.
One of the most shocking moments of the night came in the heavyweight division. Sean Sharaf knocked out Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds of the first round. It was a historic upset that no one saw coming. Steveson, a highly decorated wrestler, was making his UFC debut and was expected to be a major star. But Sharaf ended the fight almost immediately with a single punch.
In light heavyweight action, Alonzo Menifield defeated Iwo Baraniewski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). It was a close fight that could have gone either way, but Menifield did just enough to get the win.
Preliminary Card Highlights
The preliminary card also delivered some memorable moments. In bantamweight action, Marlon Vera defeated Charles Jourdain by TKO at 2:02 of the third round. Vera has been a consistent contender in the division and showed his power once again.
In the heavyweight division, Robelis Despaigne defeated Tai Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). With this loss, Tuivasa tied the UFC’s all-time record for most losses. It was a tough night for Tuivasa, who has now lost several fights in a row.
In featherweight action, Michael Aswell Jr. defeated Joo Sang Yoo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). It was a close, competitive fight that Aswell edged out.
Middleweight Ryan Gandra made quick work of Ozzy Diaz, winning by TKO due to punches at 2:04 of the first round. Gandra showed off his striking skills and made a statement in his division.
Early Prelims Results
The early prelims kicked off the night with several finishes. In middleweight action, Edmen Shahbazyan defeated Brunno Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). Shahbazyan controlled the fight and got back in the win column.
In women’s flyweight action, Casey O’Neill defeated Eduarda Moura by submission via armbar at 3:22 of the first round. It was a quick and impressive finish for O’Neill.
Finally, in featherweight action, Joanderson Brito knocked out Giga Chikadze with punches at 1:57 of the first round. It was a violent finish that ended the early prelims on a high note.
What’s Next for the Winners
With this win, Joshua Van has solidified his spot as the top flyweight in the world. A rematch with Pantoja is possible, but Van may look to face other contenders next. Arman Tsarukyan’s knockout win likely earns him a lightweight title shot. Sean Sharaf’s 12-second knockout of Gable Steveson makes him an instant heavyweight prospect to watch. The UFC 331 card was one of the best of the year, and the main event will be remembered as an all-time classic. Fans will be talking about this night for a long time.