UFC 331 Fight Card Announced With Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 And Massive Arman Tsarukyan Co-Main Event Against Surging Finisher

The UFC heads to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on September 19 with a stacked UFC 331 lineup headlined by a flyweight title rematch and a pivotal lightweight clash that could determine the division’s next championship challenger.

In the main event, reigning flyweight champion Joshua Van puts his title on the line against former champion Alexandre Pantoja. The pair first met late last year at UFC 323, when Van dethroned the Brazilian via TKO after Pantoja suffered an early injury.

Although an immediate rematch was initially planned, Pantoja’s recovery delayed those plans, allowing Van to make his first title defense against Tatsuro Taira. “The Fearless” successfully retained the belt with a fifth-round TKO and now looks to prove his first victory over Pantoja was no fluke.

Before losing the championship, Pantoja had established himself as one of the division’s most dominant champions, capturing the title from Brandon Moreno in 2023 before defending it four times, including stoppage victories over Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France. The Cannibal now returns, looking to reclaim the belt and restart his reign.

NOW WE FIND OUT 👀

@JoshuaVanBT vs @PantojaMMA 2 will headline #CryptoCom #UFC331 in LA!

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The UFC 331 co-main event carries major implications at 155 pounds as Arman Tsarukyan faces surging contender Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round showdown.

TIME TO MAKE A STATEMENT 👀

@ArmanUFC will face @RuffyMMA in the #CryptoCom #UFC331 co-main event!

[ Tickets on sale TODAY | LIVE SEP 19 at @CryptoComArena ] https://t.co/Btv93H0Mfl

Originally, Tsarukyan was expected to run things back with former champion Charles Oliveira, but the Brazilian withdrew for personal reasons, opening the door for fellow compatriot Ruffy to step in. The Armenian remains one of the division’s elite contenders after rebounding from his canceled title shot with a submission victory over Dan Hooker. A win here is widely expected to earn him another crack at the lightweight title.

Ruffy, meanwhile, has quickly re-established himself as one of the UFC’s most dangerous rising stars. After earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series, the Brazilian built momentum with highlight-reel knockouts before suffering a submission loss to Benoit Saint Denis. Since then, he has bounced back in spectacular fashion, stopping Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler in consecutive outings.