“The Fearless” is not holding back this time.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight champion Joshua Van runs it back against his suddenly heated rival and former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of UFC 331 this weekend (Sat., Sept. 19, 2026) inside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
And the buildup has been nothing like their first encounter.
Van captured the Flyweight championship from Pantoja in December 2025, but the fight lasted only 26 seconds after the Brazilian
dislocated his elbow while attempting to brace himself against the canvas. Van has since legitimized his reign by successfully defending the title against Tatsuro Taira (watch highlights), but questions surrounding that unusual first meeting have continued to fuel the rematch.
What began as a respectful rivalry has now become much more personal.
During the UFC 331 kickoff press conference last month in Philadelphia, Pantoja left his seat and attempted to confront Van before Dana White intervened (watch it). According to the former champion, Van successfully pushed the right buttons.
“He did a good job [making me mad],” Pantoja said during UFC 331 media day. “I’m from the ’90s. Back then, if you didn’t respect your mother and father, they were going to slap you. I thought about that, but Dana White stopped me.”
Van responded shortly afterward and did not hold back.
“As far as I checked, I’m his dad,” Van said. “I don’t know what he was talking about. You know the sh—t he’s been saying? He should get smacked for that. He was respectful after the fight, but then he started doing interviews and making me the bad guy. I told him we were going to fight again.”
Van believes Pantoja has attempted to position himself as the respectful “good guy” while portraying the champion as the villain throughout the buildup.
“I don’t know what his deal was, but I was just annoyed,” Van added. “He’s trying to be this guy where he’s the good guy, right? Trying to make me the bad guy. I don’t mind it, but it’s the way he’s saying things, like in the Countdown video…It’s funny to me. We’re going to fight Saturday and find out who’s the better man.”
Their first fight was built around mutual respect between a dominant longtime champion and a fearless young up-and-comer. Less than one year later, the rematch is fueled by disrespect, unfinished business and a championship both men believe belongs around their waist.
Pantoja insists he is finished trying to sell the matchup and is now solely focused on reclaiming his title. However, the rivals will have one final opportunity to trade words during Thursday evening’s UFC 331 press conference.
Based on how their last press conference unfolded, White may want to keep his hands ready.
To checkout the latest UFC 331 fight card and rumors click here.
