Pantoja's teammate and former opponent of Joshua Van gives his prediction for UFC 331.

Alexandre Pantoja (left) before his first fight with Joshua Van (right). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/

PUBLICITY:

Despite having shared the octagon before, Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van arrive at their rematch surrounded by doubts from fans and experts. Their first fight ended in seconds after an injury to the Brazilian, leaving little to analyze in a full fight between the two. However, Cody Durden believes he has some insight to predict what might happen in the main event of UFC 331.

In a post on X, Durden highlighted that he has already faced Van for three rounds and trains daily with Pantoja, which, in his view, can offer a privileged perspective on the duel. The fighter stated that the Brazilian should turn the confrontation into a physical and grueling fight, until he manages a submission in the second round.

See too

Can Pantoja reclaim the belt? Before UFC 331, let's remember former champions who won rematches.

Joshua Van threatens to finish Pantoja with the Brazilian's specialty at UFC 331

Ruffy reveals special reason for leaving Fighting Nerds and training with Volkanovski before UFC 331.

“I fought Van for 3 rounds, I train with Pantoja every day. This is going to be a dirty fight. Pantoja is going to make it dirty with knees, the clinch and elbows. I bet Pantoja by submission in the 2nd round.”, wrote Cody Durden.

Joshua Van is the current UFC flyweight champion.

Joshua Van celebrates his victory against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

PUBLICITY:

Although fans and experts questioned the merits of Joshua Van's title win – he inherited the belt after Alexandre Pantoja 's injury – the Burmese fighter gave a convincing answer inside the octagon. In his title defense against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 , Van faced difficulties against the Japanese fighter's strong grappling game. Even so, he showed resilience and relied on his sharp boxing to turn the tide of the fight.

In the fifth round, the champion found the right moment and knocked out his opponent, consolidating his position in the division and silencing some of the critics.

Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.