TLDR
- Brandon Moreno predicts Joshua Van will defeat Alexandre Pantoja in their UFC 331 title rematch
- Moreno acknowledges Pantoja’s skills but has a feeling Van will win the fight
- The former champion defends Van’s confident attitude, saying he’s young and enjoying his success
- Van smiled throughout Thursday’s faceoff while Pantoja appeared angry and intense
- Both fighters made weight successfully on Friday, making the title fight official for Saturday
Sources: bjpenn.com | mmafighting.com
Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno says he believes Joshua Van will defeat Alexandre Pantoja in their title rematch at UFC 331 on Saturday.
Van will defend his flyweight championship against Pantoja, the man he defeated to win the belt when Pantoja suffered an injury early in their first fight. The rematch has raised questions about whether Van is a legitimate champion or benefited from bad luck for his opponent.
Moreno shared his prediction during an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show” this week. “I love the fight,” Moreno said. “I think it’s going to be a super good fight.”
“Pantoja was a champion for a reason, but I don’t know, I have this feeling where I think Joshua is going to win,” Moreno explained. He acknowledged that Pantoja always finds ways to win through takedowns and control, but Moreno still feels Van will come out on top.
🚨PANTOJA STOOD ICE COLD WHILE JOSHUA VAN KEPT RUNNING HIS MOUTH 😭‼️
😤 Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja’s face-off was HEATED.
👀 The rematch is getting REAL.#ufc331 pic.twitter.com/jfDpLIVKVY
— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) September 18, 2026
Moreno Defends Van’s Confidence
Van has drawn criticism for appearing overly confident ahead of the rematch. During Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, Van smiled throughout his faceoff with Pantoja while the former champion appeared angry and intense.
Moreno said he understands Van’s behavior given his age and recent success. “Maybe, but I understand,” Moreno said. “He’s young and he’s enjoying life, you know?”
“He’s been doing a lot of good things in a short period of time, so I understand,” Moreno added. “He’s fun to watch and everything. He’s cool.”
The contrast in demeanor between the two fighters was clear during their faceoff. Van grinned while posing with the belt as UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby stood between them. Pantoja showed no emotion other than what observers described as readiness to fight.
What’s at Stake for Both Fighters
For Van, the rematch represents a chance to prove his title win was not a fluke. He has already declared himself the best flyweight ever and plans to cement his legacy with another victory over Pantoja.
Pantoja was chasing history before the injury ended his title reign. He had hoped to match or surpass Demetrious Johnson’s record of 11 consecutive title defenses. Now he aims to reclaim the belt and add another title fight victory to his resume.
Moreno has his own interest in the outcome as a former champion hoping to earn another title shot. He will likely face either Van or Pantoja if he continues winning in the division.
Both Van and Pantoja made weight without issues on Friday. The UFC 331 weigh-ins were drama-free, making the flyweight title fight official for Saturday night. The co-main event featuring Arman Tsarukyan versus Mauricio Ruffy also proceeded without problems.
