Joshua Van retains UFC flyweight title despite shoulder injury

Joshua Van retains UFC flyweight title despite shoulder injury

Sports

Joshua Van retained the UFC flyweight championship with a unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja at Crypto. com Arena in Los Angeles, saying he fought through a torn AC joint in his right shoulder, MMA Junkie reported. The bout was part of UFC 331, which took place on September 19 following the event’s weigh-ins on September 16. All 24 fighters, including Van and Pantoja, made weight at the weigh-ins, according to MMA Junkie.

The fight card featured the Van-Pantoja title rematch and a lightweight co-main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy, as detailed by CBS Sports. Tsarukyan knocked out Ruffy to earn a lightweight title shot, CBS Sports said. ESPN noted that Pantoja was returning after a nine-month injury layoff, and Yahoo Sports highlighted Sean Sharaf’s upset win over Gable Steveson.

Actors

UFC Joshua Van Alexandre Pantoja Arman Tsarukyan Mauricio Ruffy Patricio Freire Dooho Choi Alonzo Menifield Iwo Baraniewski Gable Steveson Sean Sharaf Marlon Vera Charles Jourdain Tai Tuivasa Robelis Despaigne Michael Aswell Jr. JooSang Yoo Ryan Gandra Ozzy Diaz

Locations

Los Angeles, California, United States Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, United States

Articles

September 20, 2026
6 total
Joshua Van defends UFC flyweight title despite shoulder injury
Joshua Van defends UFC flyweight title despite shoulder injury

MMA Junkie • 20 Sep 13:40

Joshua Van retained his UFC flyweight championship with a unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331, saying he fought through a torn AC joint in his right shoulder.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
UFC 331 delivers surprise outcomes and highlights emerging talent
UFC 331 delivers surprise outcomes and highlights emerging talent

Yahoo Sports • 20 Sep 06:17

UFC 331 in Los Angeles featured several unexpected results, including Joshua Van's title defense, Arman Tsarukyan's dominant win, and Sean Sharaf's upset over Gable Steveson.

Credibility 68% Manip. 28% Center
UFC 331 highlights: Joshua Van defends title, Arman Tsarukyan earns lightweight shot
UFC 331 highlights: Joshua Van defends title, Arman Tsarukyan earns lightweight shot

CBS Sports • 20 Sep 05:19

Joshua Van retained his flyweight championship in a five-round bout against Alexandre Pantoja, while Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy to position himself for a lightweight title fight.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
Joshua Van defends flyweight title with unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331
Joshua Van defends flyweight title with unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331

Yahoo Sports • 20 Sep 04:17

Joshua Van retained his UFC flyweight championship by defeating Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision at UFC 331, marking his second title defense.

Credibility 78% Manip. 25% Center
Joshua Van Defends UFC Flyweight Title with Unanimous Decision Over Alexandre Pantoja
Joshua Van Defends UFC Flyweight Title with Unanimous Decision Over Alexandre Pantoja

Bleacher Report • 20 Sep 04:14

Joshua Van retained his UFC flyweight championship by defeating Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision at UFC 331, marking his second successful title defense.

Credibility 72% Manip. 27% Center
Joshua Van retains UFC flyweight title with unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja
Joshua Van retains UFC flyweight title with unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja

CBS Sports • 20 Sep 02:03

Joshua Van defeated challenger Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision at UFC 331, solidifying his position as the division's champion.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center
September 19, 2026
3 total
Van Defends Flyweight Title Against Pantoja in UFC 331 Rematch
Van Defends Flyweight Title Against Pantoja in UFC 331 Rematch

ESPN • 19 Sep 23:00

Joshua Van will face Alexandre Pantoja in a flyweight title bout at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, marking Pantoja's return after a nine-month injury layoff.

Credibility 73% Manip. 9% Center
UFC 331 fight card features Van-Pantoja title rematch and Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy bout
UFC 331 fight card features Van-Pantoja title rematch and Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy bout

CBS Sports • 19 Sep 19:00

UFC 331 in Los Angeles will see champion Joshua Van defend the flyweight belt against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch, while top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy on the co-main card.

Credibility 66% Manip. 27% Center
UFC 331 Fight Card and Matchup Overview
UFC 331 Fight Card and Matchup Overview

MMA Fighting • 19 Sep 12:00

UFC 331 at Crypto.com Arena on Sept. 19 features a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja, along with several contender bouts that could determine future title opportunities.

Credibility 45% Manip. 8% Center
September 18, 2026
2 total
Flyweight title rematch set as UFC 331 weigh-ins complete
Flyweight title rematch set as UFC 331 weigh-ins complete

Sherdog • 18 Sep 20:48

UFC 331 will feature a flyweight championship rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja after both fighters made weight, and the full card proceeded without any weigh-in issues.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
UFC 331 weigh-ins complete as all 24 fighters make weight
UFC 331 weigh-ins complete as all 24 fighters make weight

MMA Junkie • 18 Sep 18:41

All 24 athletes scheduled for UFC 331 successfully weighed in on Friday, with flyweight champion Joshua Van and challenger Alexandre Pantoja both hitting the 125-pound limit for the title bout.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center

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