UFC is returning to Los Angeles with an anticipated UFC flyweight championship bout at UFC 331.
Current titleholder Joshua Van aims to leave no doubt when he once again locks horns with former champion Alexandre Pantoja.
In the co-main event, UFC lightweight title implications are on the line as No. 2 ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan takes on No. 10 ranked Mauricio Ruffy.
UFC 331: VAN vs. PANTOJA 2 takes place Saturday, September 19 at Crypto.com Arena with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Paramount+.
The prelims will begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass.
Tickets are available now at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.
UFC VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.
UFC flyweight king Van (17-2, fighting out of Houston, Texas) plans to cement himself as the best 125-pounder on the planet with another highlight-reel performance. One of the fastest rising stars on the UFC roster, Van has captured the hearts of fans with bonus-earning victories over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Royval. He now looks to prove his first win over Pantoja was no fluke and continue his impressive reign.
Pantoja (30-6, fighting out of Arraial Do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) steps back into the Octagon with his sights set on reclaiming the crown he believes he never truly lost. The owner of the UFC flyweight records for most wins (14), finishes (8) and submissions (6), Pantoja forged his legacy with dominant victories over Kai Kara-France, Kai Asakura and Brandon Royval. He is now determined to show that he is the best to ever do it by defeating Van in convincing fashion.
Tsarukyan (23-3, fighting out of Yerevan, Armenia) returns to action gunning to secure a shot at the lightweight title. A well-rounded competitor riding an impressive five-fight win streak, he holds notable stoppage victories over Dan Hooker, Beneil Dariush and Joel Alvarez. Tsarukyan plans to steal the show by taking out Ruffy and certifying his position at the top of the 155-pound ranks.
Exciting striker Ruffy (14-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) makes a quick return with the intent to deliver another jaw-dropping moment. With 13 of his 14 wins coming by way of knockout, Ruffy has established himself as a can’t-miss competitor by taking out Michael Chander, Rafael Fiziev and King Green. He now aims to secure the biggest victory of his career and vault into the lightweight championship conversation.
Additional bouts on the card include:
No. 15 ranked featherweight contender Patricio Pitbull (37-9, fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) vs. Dooho Choi (17-4-1, fighting out of Daegu, South Korea)
No. 10 ranked lightweight contender Renato Moicano (21-7-1, fighting out of Brasília, Brazil) vs. Brian Ortega (16-5 1NC, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.) — rematch
No. 14 ranked light heavyweight contender Alonzo Menifield (18-6-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (9-0, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland)
Gable Steveson (4-0, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) vs. Sean Sharaf (4-2, fighting out of Santa Ana, Calif.) — heavyweight bout
No. 10 ranked bantamweight contender Marlon Vera (23-12-1, fighting out of Chone, Manabi, Ecuador) vs. Charles Jourdain (18-8-1, fighting out of Beloeil, Quebec, Canada)
Tai Tuivasa (15-10, fighting out of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia) vs. Robelis Despaigne (6-2, fighting out of Orlando, Fla., by way of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba)
Edmen Shahbazyan (16-6, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Brunno Ferreira (15-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil) — middleweight bout
Giga Chikadze (15-6, fighting out of Tbilisi, Georgia) vs. Joanderson Brito (19-5-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) — featherweight bout
No. 12 ranked flyweight contender Casey O’Neill (11-2, fighting out of Gold Coast, Australia) vs. No. 13 ranked flyweight contender Eduarda Moura (12-2, fighting out of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil)
Dana White’s Contender Series signee Ryan Gandra (10-1, fighting out of Betim, Brazil) vs. Ozzy Diaz (10-4, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.) — middleweight bout
Michael Aswell Jr. (11-5, fighting out of Houston, Texas) vs. Joosang Yoo (9-1, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) — featherweight bout
