The Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is set to host one of the most anticipated mixed martial arts events of the year as UFC 331 takes center stage, headlined by a high-stakes, legacy-defining flyweight championship rematch. Reigning titleholder Joshua Van puts his belt on the line against former champion Alexandre Pantoja, in a bout that carries significant narrative weight for the 125-pound division. The encounter serves as a classic narrative of redemption versus consolidation, bringing together a rising champion looking to cement his era and a veteran challenger determined to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
Background and Context of the Championship Rematch
The animosity and competitive drive fueling the UFC 331 main event stem directly from the controversial conclusion of their first encounter at UFC 323 in December 2025. In that matchup, Joshua Van captured the flyweight championship under unfortunate circumstances when Alexandre Pantoja suffered a severe left elbow dislocation just 26 seconds into the opening round. The injury occurred awkwardly as Van inadvertently landed on Pantoja during an early scramble, forcing an abrupt technical knockout stoppage.
For Pantoja, the defeat felt hollow, abruptly halting a dominant title reign that included victories over premier divisional talents such as Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura, and Kai Kara-France. Despite his extensive resume and championship pedigree, the 36-year-old Brazilian veteran expressed frustration regarding his treatment by promotional leadership following the abrupt loss. Entering UFC 331, Pantoja draws immense motivation from the nature of his title loss. Should he emerge victorious in Los Angeles, he will join an elite group consisting of only Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo as fighters who successfully reclaimed the UFC flyweight championship after losing it.
On the other side of the Octagon, 24-year-old champion Joshua Van enters the cage aiming to validate his reign against elite competition. Hailing originally from Myanmar, Van has built a reputation for exceptional hand speed, unrelenting forward pressure, and high-volume striking. While many questioned the legitimacy of his title acquisition due to the premature ending of the first fight, Van answered some of those critics during his sole title defense in May, where he relied on crisp technical striking to defeat Tatsuro Taira. Facing a compact, aggressive veteran standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, Van will need to balance his natural offensive instincts with defensive discipline to turn back the challenger once more.
Stacked Undercard and Divisional Implications
Beyond the championship marquee, UFC 331 boasts a remarkably deep card designed to shake up multiple divisions. The co-main event features a pivotal lightweight clash between top contender Arman Tsarukyan and rising powerhouse Maurício Ruffy. Matchmakers have indicated that the winner of this high-profile lightweight battle will secure the next mandatory opportunity for the 155-pound championship, adding immense pressure to both competitors.
The main card also highlights a diverse array of global talent and crossover appeal. Veteran multi-division standout Patrício Pitbull enters the Octagon to face South Korea’s dynamic striker Choi Doo-ho in a compelling featherweight showcase. Meanwhile, the heavyweight division sees an intriguing clash between former collegiate wrestling standout Gable Steveson and heavy-handed striker Sean Sharaf, testing whether elite amateur grappling can translate to the UFC heavyweight ranks. Rounding out the main card, Alonzo Menifield faces Iwo Baraniewski in a light heavyweight contest designed to test the divisional hierarchy.
The preliminary card features fan-favorite bantamweight Marlon Vera squaring off against Canada’s Charles Jourdain, alongside a heavyweight collision between knockout artist Tai Tuivasa and the explosive, long-limbed striker Robelis Despaigne.
Global Broadcast Details and How to Watch UFC 331
For mixed martial arts enthusiasts looking to tune into the action, broadcast rights vary significantly by region. In the United States, exclusive live coverage of the full UFC 331 event is hosted on Paramount Plus. The main card is scheduled to kick off at approximately 11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT on Saturday, September 19, following a full slate of preliminary bouts. Paramount Plus offers standard and premium tier subscription plans, while consumers seeking promotional discounts frequently utilize retail bundles, such as Walmart+, to secure streaming access. Early prelims are broadcast concurrently via UFC Fight Pass.
For viewers located in the United Kingdom, TNT Sports 1 holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the main card, which is scheduled to begin at 2:00 AM BST in the early hours of Sunday morning. British fans can access the event by integrating TNT Sports into existing Sky, Virgin Media, or EE TV packages, or by purchasing standalone streaming subscriptions through compatible digital platforms.
In Canada, the event is distributed via traditional pay-per-view providers, including Sportsnet, Bell, and UFC Fight Pass, with standard pricing set at $69.99 CAD. Preliminary bouts are scheduled for broadcast across Sportsnet and TVA Sports channels.
Fans in Australia can access the main card via Foxtel Main Event or Kayo Sports Main Event, with pay-per-view pricing established at $59.95 AUD. Preliminary coverage is shared across Paramount Plus and free-to-air broadcaster Network 10.
Utilizing a VPN for International Access
International travelers and expatriates who wish to access their domestic streaming subscriptions while away from home frequently rely on Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. By routing their device connections through servers located in their home country—such as connecting to a United States server to access Paramount Plus or a United Kingdom server for TNT Sports—viewers can bypass geographic broadcast restrictions. Industry-standard providers like Surfshark offer encrypted tunneling protocols that ensure high-speed, buffer-free streaming quality for live sporting events, provided users adhere to the terms and conditions of their respective streaming platforms.
Event Timeline and Schedule Breakdown
The comprehensive schedule for UFC 331 at the Crypto.com Arena spans multiple time zones, ensuring a full day of combat sports entertainment:
- Early Prelims: Begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT on Saturday, September 19 (10:00 PM BST / 7:00 AM AEST on Sunday, September 20).
- Prelims: Begin at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT on Saturday, September 19 (12:00 AM BST / 9:00 AM AEST on Sunday, September 20).
- Main Card: Scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT on Saturday, September 19 (2:00 AM BST / 11:00 AM AEST on Sunday, September 20).
- Main Event (Van vs. Pantoja 2): Ring walks for the championship bout are anticipated around 11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT.
Full UFC 331 Fight Card Lineup
Main Card
- Joshua Van (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight Championship)
- Arman Tsarukyan vs. Maurício Ruffy (Lightweight)
- Patrício Pitbull vs. Choi Doo-ho (Featherweight)
- Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf (Heavyweight)
- Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski (Light Heavyweight)
Prelims
- Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain (Bantamweight)
- Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne (Heavyweight)
- Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Yoo Joo-sang (Featherweight)
- Ryan Gandra vs. Osman Diaz (Middleweight)
Early Prelims
- Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
- Casey O’Neill vs. Eduarda Moura (Women’s Flyweight)
- Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Broader Implications for the Flyweight Division
The outcome of UFC 331 will dictate the immediate trajectory of the UFC flyweight division. For Joshua Van, a decisive victory over a seasoned former champion like Pantoja would silence lingering doubts regarding the legitimacy of his reign and establish him as a dominant, undisputed kingpin at 125 pounds. It would validate his transition from an opportunistic contender to a generational talent capable of leading the division into a new era.
Conversely, a victory for Alexandre Pantoja would mark a stunning career resurgence. Proving that his initial reign was not an anomaly, a successful title reclamation would solidify his status among the greatest flyweights in promotional history, tying him with divisional pioneers in championship accolades. As the Octagon door closes in Los Angeles, both athletes carry the weight of unfinished business, setting the stage for what promises to be a high-intensity, deeply tactical mixed martial arts masterpiece.
