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Van dominates Pantoja to retain flyweight belt in UFC 331

PUBLISHED Sep 20, 2026, 1:22 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 24

Left 8%

Center 79%

Right 13%

Sources: 24

At UFC 331, flyweight champion Van successfully defended his title by defeating Alexandre Pantoja in a highly anticipated rematch. The bout featured a stark contrast in styles, as Pantoja relied on his elite wrestling and grappling pedigree to control significant portions of the opening and fourth rounds. However, Van neutralized the threats through disciplined takedown defense, exceptional cardio, and high-volume striking. Entering the fifth and final round with the scorecards closely contested, Van intensified his offensive pressure and rocked Pantoja late in the frame. The decisive late surge secured a unanimous victory, cementing Van's status as the undisputed flyweight champion following an earlier controversial injury stoppage in their initial meeting. The back-and-forth contest earned widespread praise from analysts and fans alike, solidifying its place as a classic championship encounter in the division's history.

By Ayesha A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On past date, Van captured the flyweight belt via injury stoppage.
On past date, Van defended his championship title against Tatsuro Taira.
On recent date, Van and Pantoja met for their rematch.
On fight night, Pantoja secured early takedowns and ground control.
On fight night, Van demonstrated robust and effective takedown defense.
On fight night, Van increased striking output through later rounds.
On fight night, Van rocked Pantoja during the fifth round.
On fight night, judges awarded Van the unanimous decision victory.
On upcoming days, analysts will review divisional rankings and contenders.
On coming months, the organization will announce Van's next challenger.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Increases consumer engagement and pay-per-view interest across American sports.
Possible long-term US impact: Elevates the competitive landscape and future title challenger market dynamics.
Most affected groups: Mixed martial arts fans, sports organizations, and athletic regulatory commissions.
Reader priority: Compare official league scorecards and verified sports journalism reporting updates.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 24
Right Leaning:: 3
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 19

Explain Framing

Left: Focuses on athletic achievement and sports industry labor dynamics. Center: Reports official event outcomes and statistics with neutral tone. Right: Highlights individual competitive grit and traditional championship legacy narratives.