TLDR
- Joshua Van won the flyweight title from Alexandre Pantoja in December 2025 when the fight ended after 26 seconds due to Pantoja’s arm injury
- Van successfully defended the belt with a fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira in May 2026
- Pantoja enters the rematch at 36 years old with a 4-0 record in career rematches and experience from multiple title defenses
- Van lands 8.4 strikes per minute compared to Pantoja’s 4.4, giving him a clear volume advantage
- Early betting odds have Van as a slight favorite at -135 to Pantoja’s +114
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | sports.yahoo.com | clutchpoints.com
Joshua Van will defend his UFC flyweight championship against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 this Saturday in a rematch that many believe will finally answer questions left unanswered by their first meeting. The initial fight in December 2025 lasted just 26 seconds before Pantoja suffered an arm injury that forced the referee to stop the contest.
Van, who is 24 years old, captured the title in that controversial finish and has since defended it once. In May 2026, he defeated Tatsuro Taira by fifth-round TKO at UFC 328, pushing his winning streak to seven fights and his overall record to 17-2.
Pantoja sat out following the injury to heal and prepare for this immediate rematch. The 36-year-old Brazilian had previously defended the flyweight title five times before losing it to Van and carries a professional record of 30-6.
The Numbers Tell Two Different Stories
Van brings a clear advantage in striking volume to the rematch. He lands 8.4 strikes per minute compared to Pantoja’s 4.4, and his accuracy rate of 57% exceeds Pantoja’s 50%.
🚨 Here’s your updated card for #UFC331 after Ortega pulls out 😪 pic.twitter.com/3nzu5bqfgR
— 3KFighting (@3KFighting) September 15, 2026
The young champion also shows an unusual pattern of increasing his output as fights progress. Statistical analysis shows Van’s work rate builds to roughly 219% of his first-round pace by the third round, while Pantoja’s pace increases only slightly.
Van trains out of 4 oz. Fight Club in Texas and holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He has nine knockout victories and two submission wins in his career, with three first-round finishes on his record.
Pantoja, who trains at American Top Team in Florida, holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His resume includes eight knockout victories and 12 submission wins, with 10 first-round finishes throughout his 18-year professional career.
Wrestling Could Decide The Fight
The biggest difference between the two fighters may be on the ground. Pantoja averages 2.79 takedowns per 15 minutes and is considered one of the elite back-take artists in UFC history.
Van has shown solid takedown defense at 75.7% and displays good instincts in scrambles. He works well with overhooks and frames in the clinch, making it difficult for opponents to control him against the cage.
Pantoja has never lost a career rematch, holding a perfect 4-0 record when facing opponents for a second time. Van has never had a rematch in his professional career, making this his first test of that kind.
The former champion developed his wrestling skills after competing on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show, working with Henry Cejudo before moving to American Top Team. He uses bodylocks effectively and shows excellent awareness when fighting near the cage.
Van stands 5’5″ with a 65-inch reach, while Pantoja is also 5’5″ but has a slightly longer 67.5-inch reach. Both fighters compete at 125 pounds in the flyweight division.
Early betting lines have Van as a slight favorite at -135, with Pantoja listed at +114. The over/under for the fight is set at 4.5 rounds, with the under at -180 and the over at +140.
