Joshua Van retains UFC flyweight title despite shoulder injury
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.
