UFC Flyweight Rematch Set
Alexandre Pantoja will face Joshua Van in a UFC flyweight title rematch on September 19.
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Key Points
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Joshua Van became the UFC’s youngest active champion—and the second-youngest champion in the promotion’s history—when he defeated Pantoja at age 24.
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Van’s celebrations after the first fight were complicated by the civil war in his native Myanmar, which prevented him from returning home for a hero’s welcome.
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Pantoja entered the first fight as a substantial favorite, but was injured after Van caught a head kick and drove him to the canvas; a backstage report identified the injury as a left-shoulder dislocation.
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A victory would make Pantoja only the third UFC flyweight to regain the title for a second reign, joining Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo.
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Pantoja has already identified former-generation contender Manel Kape as a potential next opponent if he wins the rematch, calling Kape “one of the best” and saying he wants to fight him.
Alexandre Pantoja will get his shot at redemption. The former UFC flyweight champion faces Joshua Van in a rematch at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles, HJ News reported. Their first fight lasted just 26 seconds—Van caught a head kick, drove Pantoja to the canvas, and Pantoja suffered a left-shoulder dislocation that ended the bout immediately.
Van, now 24, became the UFC's youngest active champion with that quick victory. NY Fights notes that Pantoja has fully recovered and spent months with his family before returning to training. The rematch carries real stakes: a win would make Pantoja only the third UFC flyweight ever to reclaim the title for a second reign.
A Title Lost in 26 Seconds
Pantoja entered their December 2024 fight as a heavy favorite. Then Van caught him with a head kick, drove him to the mat, and the bout was over. News-Gazette confirms Pantoja suffered a shoulder dislocation on that single takedown. For 10 months, the former champ has waited for another chance.
The injury-shortened fight left real questions unanswered. Did Van's speed and athleticism genuinely prove he was the better fighter? Or did bad luck rob Pantoja of a fair test? Sports Yahoo reports tension at the UFC 331 press conference, with Van insisting he will show himself as a level above Pantoja this time.
Van's Complicated Rise to Champion Status
At 24 years old, Van became the second-youngest champion in UFC history. NY Fights notes that Van's celebrations were complicated by civil war in his native Myanmar, which prevented him from returning home for a hero's welcome. Despite the chaos, he defended his title decisively against Tatsuro Taira.
Van's outspoken press-conference comments have added spice to the rematch buildup. Sports Yahoo reports heated exchanges between the two fighters as they prepare for September. The younger champion believes he has already proven his superiority.
Pantoja's Path to Reclaiming His Crown
Pantoja says he is fully recovered and motivated. A victory at UFC 331 would make him only the third flyweight to regain the title for a second reign, joining Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo. Pantoja has already mapped his next move—he wants to fight former-generation contender Manel Kape, calling him one of the best.
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