Let’s see if we can get through this weekend without controversy.
The upcoming UFC 331 event on Paramount+ will feature the flyweight championship headliner between Joshua Van (c) and Alexandre Pantoja, a rematch from their UFC 323 co-main event that saw “The Cannibal” lose after blowing out one of his limbs. Their 125-pound do-over gets underway on Sat. night (Sept. 19, 2026) from inside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Referee Herb Dean will oversee the “Van vs. Pantoja 2” main event,
according to a report from MMA Junkie, with judges Sal D’Amato, Derek Cleary, and Ron McCarthy scoring the bout from cageside.
Prior to that, referee Jason Herzog will complement judges Sal D’Amato, Derek Cleary and Chris Leben for the Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy lightweight (and five-round) co-main event.
Dean has been taking a beating by both fans and fighters in recent months for a series of controversial calls inside the Octagon. He tried to ref-splain his way out of the proverbial muck and the mire, only to land right back on the hot seat with yet another series of questionable showings.
Dean was the referee for Van vs. Pantoja 1 in late 2025.
