UFC 331 Officially Announced: Joshua Van-Pantoja Rematch Headlines Stacked Los Angeles Card
The UFC has officially unveiled the full fight card for UFC 331, set for September 19 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, featuring a flyweight title rematch atop one of the deepest cards of the year. The event will be headlined by newly crowned champion Joshua Van defending his championship against the man he dethroned, former king Alexandre Pantoja.
Van’s rise to the top of the division has been one of the biggest stories in MMA, and he’ll immediately face the toughest possible first title defense against the veteran Pantoja, who is looking to reclaim the belt.
The five-round co-main event sees top-ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan square off with surging Brazilian knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy in a matchup with major title implications. The bout comes after a late change to Tsarukyan’s original opponent, creating a dangerous opportunity for Ruffy to announce himself as a legitimate championship contender.
Former Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire continues his UFC journey against fan favorite Dooho Choi, while lightweight contenders Renato Moicano and former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega meet in an intriguing clash at 155 pounds.
The main card also features ranked light heavyweight Alonzo Menifield against Poland’s Iwo Baraniewski, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson making his second UFC appearance against Sean Sharaf, and a pivotal bantamweight matchup between former title challenger Marlon Vera and Canada’s Charles Jourdain.
The undercard is equally impressive with heavyweight action between Tai Tuivasa and Robelis Despaigne, middleweight prospect Edmen Shahbazyan meeting Brazilian finisher Brunno Ferreira, and a featherweight battle between elite striker Giga Chikadze and dangerous finisher Joanderson Brito.
Also scheduled are ranked flyweights Casey O’Neill and Eduarda Moura, middleweights Ryan Gandra and Ozzy Diaz, and featherweights Michael Aswell Jr. versus Joosang Yoo.
From championship stakes at flyweight to several bouts that could reshape the lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight rankings, UFC 331 has the ingredients to become one of the promotion’s strongest events of 2026.
About The Author
