Alexandre Pantoja watches Joshua Van with the UFC belt. Photo: Getty Images/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
The rivalry between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van gained more weight at the press conference to promote UFC 331. Held last Thursday (17), in California (USA), the event saw the flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg) going after the former king again. Despite his experience in MMA and being on big stages, the Brazilian spoke little and even seemed confused in dealing with his nemesis.
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Increasingly comfortable as champion, Van showed no mercy to the veteran and exuded confidence. The Burmese fighter, who won the flyweight title in December largely due to the arm injury suffered by Pantoja seconds into the fight, guaranteed that this time he would have nothing to complain about, as the result would be the same and clear.
The Brazilian, returning to action after recovering from injury, was surprised by his rival's audacious attitude. It's worth noting that, before facing Pantoja, Van humbly expressed his admiration. However, after winning the title, the athlete began to provoke and mock the veteran. In any case, 'The Cannibal' challenged his nemesis to prove his superiority, which he not only accepted but also promised to beat him up.
Joshua Van : “Ah, I can’t wait. Soon, I’m going to beat him up again. He was the greatest of all time before he fought me. Now, I’m going to show the world why I’m the best flyweight. From what I know, he doesn’t like me very much, but I don’t care. We’re going to fight and I’m going to show the world that I’m on a much higher level than him.”
Alexandre Pantoja : “I remember that when we fought, he tried to hug me in the first 20 seconds. Maybe he'll try to do that again, and I'm prepared. I don't understand, because sometimes he says I'm the best, and other times he says he's going to beat me up. In his mind, he beat me the first time. But it is what it is. On Saturday, he has the chance to prove it.”
Van: “Beating the best. That’s why I’m here. I’m going to finish you. I already beat you once and I’m going to beat you again on Saturday.”
Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja face off tensely at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC
UFC 331 technical sheet
Date: 19 September 2026
Time: Starting at 18:30 PM (Brasilia time)
Location: Crypto.com Arena, California, United States
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time , Paramount+ (entire card) on TV and internet.
MAIN CARD (22pm Brasília time)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 – title fight
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Patricio Pitbull x Dooho Choi
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Gable Stevenson vs. Sean Sharaf
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski
PRELIMINARY CARD (18:30 p.m. Brasília time)
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Tai Tuivasa x Robelis Despaigne
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Joo Sang Yoo
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Ryan Gandra x Ozzy Diaz
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Hulk
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Casey O'Neill vs. Eduarda Moura
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Tubarão
Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.
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