Van Era Begins: UFC 331 Delivers Knockouts, Upsets and Statement Wins
The UFC returns to the Crypto.com Arena in the City of Angels for UFC 331 with a rematch for the Flyweight title taking center stage.
Lead In
While Joshua Van left UFC 323 as champion, many would argue little was settled that night. Alexandre Pantoja the four-time defending champion had a kick caught – dislocating his elbow when he hit the ground in just 26 seconds. Pantoja has spent the year recovering while cemented his championship status with a fifth round knockout of Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old phenom now faces 36-year-old former king to settle their business.
In the co-main event top Lightweight contender, well-rounded beast Arman Tsarukyan battles acrobatic striker Mauricio Ruffy.
Fight Night Story
The Flyweight division is officially in the Van era.
Joshua Van has solidified himself as UFC Flyweight champion, putting any controversy surrounding UFC 323 to rest with a second victory over former champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Van’s game is built around his boxing, battering opponents with precise combinations and a relentless pace. Pantoja once again forced Van into chaos, scoring multiple takedowns and making the champion work. But the 24-year-old showed composure well beyond his years, biding his time while minimizing damage.
With the fight hanging in the balance, Van pushed forward and let his hands go. A right hook sent Pantoja to the canvas and helped seal the decision, completing the passing of the torch at 125 pounds.
It would be hard to argue anyone deserves a Lightweight title opportunity more than Arman Tsarukyan after the statement he made against Mauricio Ruffy. Ruffy started fast, defending Tsarukyan’s early takedown attempts and even opening a mouse under Tsarukyan’s left eye. But in a round largely controlled by Ruffy, Tsarukyan stole the show, blasting him with a pair of knockdowns before closing the fight with a dramatic knockout.
Patricio Pitbull showcased the boxing that helped make him a champion, overwhelming Doo Ho Choi before landing a crushing right hand that ended the fight in the opening round.
One of the biggest upsets of the night came when Sean Sharaf, a massive +1100 underdog, put Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson out cold in just 12 seconds with a clean left hook.
Former title challenger Marlon Vera also snapped a four-fight losing streak in emphatic fashion, dropping Charles Jourdain three times before securing the third-round TKO.
Quick Results
UFC 331 Main Card
- UFC Flyweight Title: (Champion) Joshua Van (18-2) def. Alexandre Pantoja (30-7) by (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) Unanimous Decision
- Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan (24-3) def. Mauricio Ruffy (14-3) by KO (Elbows) 4:56 R1
- Featherweight Patricio Pitbull (38-9) def. Doo Ho Choi (17-5-1) by KO (Right Hand & Ground Strikes) 3:20 R1
- Heavyweight: Sean Sharaf (5-2) def. Gable Steveson (4-1) by KO (Left Hook) 0:12 R1
- Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield (19-6-1) def. Iwo Baraniewski (9-1) by (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Split Decision
Prelims Card on
- Bantamweight: Marlon Vera (24-12-1) def. Charles Jourdain (18-8-1) by TKO (Left Hook) 2:02 R3
- Heavyweight: Robelis Despaigne (7-2) def. Tai Tuivasa (14-11) by (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Split Decision
- Featherweight: Michael Aswell Jr. (12-5) def. Joo Sang Yoo (9-2) by (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Split Decision
- Middleweight: Ryan Gandra (11-1) def. Ozzy Diaz (10-5) by TKO (Punches) 2:04 R1
Early Prelims
- Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (17-6) def. Brunno Ferreira (15-5) by (30-27, 29-28 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill (12-2) def. Eduarda Moura (12-3) by Submission (Armbar) by 3:22 R1
- Featherweight: Joanderson Brito (20-5-1) def. Giga Chikadze (15-7) by KO (Ground Strikes in Guard) R1
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