Joshua Van Retains UFC Flyweight Title With Dominant Win Over Pantoja

Posted : 20 September 2026

Joshua Van retained the UFC flyweight championship with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old controlled large parts of the five-round contest and successfully defended his title against the former champion.

The victory came 10 months after Van first defeated Pantoja, when the Brazilian suffered an elbow injury just 26 seconds into their opening-round meeting. This time, there was no early stoppage, with both fighters completing all five rounds at the Crypto.com Arena.

Pantoja made a strong start by taking Van down in the opening round and creating several dangerous exchanges. Van responded with sharp striking and continued to increase his output as the fight progressed.

The champion found his rhythm in the second round, using his left hand effectively to keep Pantoja at range. He then produced one of his strongest sequences in the third round, landing a combination that rocked the former champion.

Pantoja regained control during the fourth round by taking Van down again. However, the Brazilian was unable to find a submission and Van remained composed before returning to his striking game.

Van finished strongly in the fifth round. He stalked Pantoja across the Octagon before connecting with an overhand right that dropped the Brazilian, adding another major moment to a performance that secured the judges' decision.

The official result was a unanimous decision for Van after five rounds. The victory moved his professional record to 18 wins and two losses and provided a clear answer to questions surrounding his first victory over Pantoja.

"A lot of people said that was an accidental win, well, doubt me now," Van said after the fight, according to BBC Sport.

Van became the first UFC champion born in the 2000s and has now successfully defended the flyweight title twice. He previously stopped Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round at UFC 328 in May.

Pantoja, 36, was attempting to become only the third UFC flyweight champion to regain the belt after losing it. Instead, Van's victory extended his reign and gave him another statement win over a former champion.

Scottish fighter Casey O'Neill also enjoyed a successful night in Los Angeles. She submitted Eduarda Moura with an armbar at 3:20 of the first round to record her third consecutive victory and second straight first-round stoppage.

Joshua Van Retains UFC Flyweight Title With Dominant Win Over Pantoja

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