Joshua Van successfully retained his flyweight title on Saturday at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, defeating Alexandre Pantoja in a thrilling rematch that showcased both fighters' skills.

In their previous encounter, Van had controversially dethroned Pantoja due to an injury, but this time, he secured a clearer victory. The fight began with a quick takedown by Pantoja just 10 seconds in, but Van quickly found his rhythm, displaying exceptional boxing skills.

The bout unfolded as follows:

• Round 1: Both fighters exchanged blows, with Pantoja initially taking control.
• Round 2: Pantoja paused the action, claiming a headbutt, but replays indicated it was accidental.
• Round 3: A tightly contested round where Pantoja had more control time, yet Van continued to box effectively.
• Round 4: Pantoja showcased his grappling prowess, keeping the fight competitive heading into the final round.
• Round 5: Van turned the tide, outstriking Pantoja and even dropping him with a powerful right cross late in the round.

The judges scored the fight surprisingly in favor of Van with scores of 49-46, 49-47, and 50-45, marking his second successful title defense after a classic against Tatsuro Taira in May.

In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan defeated Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight-title eliminator. Despite suffering noticeable damage to his left eye, Tsarukyan delivered a decisive elbow strike that ended the fight at the close of round one. With this victory, he positioned himself as a potential challenger for champion Justin Gaethje, who observed from cageside.