The UFC has confirmed several major bouts for UFC 331, including the flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja, Arman Tsarukyan’s return against Mauricio Ruffy, and Gable Steveson’s second Octagon appearance.
The UFC has officially revealed more key matchups for UFC 331, strengthening what is already shaping up to be one of the promotion’s biggest events of the year. Scheduled for September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the card will be headlined by a UFC Flyweight Championship rematch between Joshua Van and former champion Alexandre Pantoja.
The promotion also confirmed a five round lightweight clash between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy, while Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson returns for his second UFC appearance. Heavyweight striker Robelis Despaigne also makes his return to the Octagon against fan favorite Tai Tuivasa.
Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja renew unfinished rivalry
The main event gives Alexandre Pantoja the opportunity to reclaim the flyweight title after their first meeting ended under unusual circumstances at UFC 323.
Pantoja suffered a serious arm injury just seconds into the fight after an awkward exchange, forcing the referee to stop the contest and handing Joshua Van the championship via TKO. While Van became champion that night, many believed the rivalry deserved a proper conclusion.
Since winning the title, Van has silenced many critics by defending the belt against Tatsuro Taira in a thrilling five round battle at UFC 328. Now, he enters the rematch looking to remove any remaining doubts surrounding his championship reign.
Pantoja has made it clear that reclaiming the belt remains his only objective.
I’m not done. I have so much to conquer. I have so much to prove, Pantoja said while discussing his return.
The former champion also emphasized how much becoming champion again would mean to him.
I want to take the belt again. I want to be UFC champion one more time and keep talking about good things and make people happy.
Van, meanwhile, has shown plenty of confidence ahead of the rematch.
People haven’t seen my jiu jitsu yet. My next fight against Pantoja, I’ll probably submit him, Van said in a recent interview.
Arman Tsarukyan gets dangerous new opponent
Another major announcement sees Arman Tsarukyan return to action in a five round co main event against rising Brazilian contender Mauricio Ruffy.
Tsarukyan was widely expected to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch. However, Oliveira withdrew following the tragic passing of his longtime teammate Allan Nascimento earlier this week.
Ruffy accepted the opportunity and now steps into the biggest fight of his UFC career.
The Brazilian has built considerable momentum after consecutive knockout victories over Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev, improving his UFC record to 5 and 1. A victory over Tsarukyan could instantly move him into lightweight title contention.
For Tsarukyan, this marks his first UFC appearance since submitting Dan Hooker in late 2025. Although he remained active in grappling competitions throughout the year, UFC 331 presents an opportunity to remind the division why he remains one of the organization’s top lightweight contenders.
Gable Steveson returns after explosive debut
Former Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson will make his sophomore UFC appearance when he faces Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight contest.
Steveson enjoyed an impressive promotional debut in July, knocking out Elisha Ellison in the opening round. Remarkably, all four of his professional MMA victories have ended inside four minutes, highlighting the explosive power he has quickly developed alongside his elite wrestling pedigree.
Sharaf enters the bout hoping to secure his first UFC victory after suffering knockout defeats in his first two appearances against Junior Tafa and Steven Asplund.
Another heavyweight matchup will see Robelis Despaigne return to the UFC against Tai Tuivasa.
Despaigne earned his way back into the promotion after an impressive run outside the UFC, including a knockout victory over Junior dos Santos and multiple finishes in Karate Combat.
Tuivasa, meanwhile, desperately needs a victory after losing seven consecutive UFC fights. Once considered one of the heavyweight division’s most entertaining finishers, the Australian now faces enormous pressure to reverse his recent form.
Strong supporting card adds further depth
Several other intriguing matchups have also been confirmed for UFC 331.
Former Bellator champion Patricio Freire faces Doo Ho Choi in a featherweight contest, while Renato Moicano meets Brian Ortega in another high profile showdown.
Elsewhere, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Iwo Baraniewski takes on veteran Alonzo Menifield. Marlon Vera squares off against Charles Jourdain, while Giga Chikadze battles Joanderson Brito in another matchup with divisional implications.
The card also features Ryan Gandra against Ozzy Diaz, Casey O’Neill versus Eduarda Moura, Brunno Ferreira against Edmen Shahbazyan, and Michael Aswell Jr facing Joosang Yoo.
UFC 331 continues to build anticipation
With a championship rematch carrying genuine unfinished business, the return of Arman Tsarukyan in a high stakes lightweight contest, and the continued development of prospects such as Gable Steveson, UFC 331 has quickly developed into one of the strongest cards on the promotion’s 2026 schedule.
Additional bouts could still be announced before fight night, but the current lineup already offers a balanced mix of title implications, veteran names, rising contenders, and heavyweight action. As September 19 approaches, UFC 331 is positioned to deliver one of the year’s most compelling pay per view events.
UFC 331 Fight card
- Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship
- Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy in a five round lightweight bout
- Doo Ho Choi vs Patricio Freire
- Renato Moicano vs Brian Ortega
- Iwo Baraniewski vs Alonzo Menifield
- Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf
- Charles Jourdain vs Marlon Vera
- Robelis Despaigne vs Tai Tuivasa
- Brunno Ferreira vs Edmen Shahbazyan
- Joanderson Brito vs Giga Chikadze
- Casey O’Neill vs Eduarda Moura
- Ryan Gandra vs Ozzy Diaz
- Michael Aswell Jr vs Joosang Yoo
Follow FIGHTCORE for more updates.
