Joshua Van retained the UFC flyweight title at Crypto.com UFC 331, taking a unanimous decision over Alexandre Pantoja (49-46, 48-47, 50-45) in a five-round rematch at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on September 19, 2026.
It was Van’s second consecutive successful title defense, and it closed a main card that also delivered three first-round knockouts — including Sean Sharaf stopping Gable Steveson in 12 seconds.
According to UFC.com’s E. Spencer Kyte, Pantoja came out of the gates on fire and had early success in both phases. The 24-year-old champion found his footing in the second and third, limiting time entangled with Pantoja, landing the better strikes, and minimizing damage when he was taken down. Pantoja put Van on the canvas in the fourth but was limited in his output and ability to advance. In the fifth, Van was the more active and effective fighter, landing in combination, stalking the challenger, dropping him, and pulling away as the round progressed.
When the scorecards were tallied, Van came out ahead — a hard-fought decision win that, per UFC.com, also offered a measure of validation after how their first fight ended.
Sharaf stops Steveson in 12 seconds
Sean Sharaf flatlined Gable Steveson. The Santa Ana native and U.S. Marine Corps veteran strode to the center of the Octagon, ate a low kick, then connected with a left hand that snapped Steveson’s head back and ended the night in a flash — a KO at 0:12 of Round 1.
UFC.com framed it as a monumental upset for the 32-year-old Sharaf, a colossal underdog against the highly regarded, undefeated prospect.
Tsarukyan elbows out Ruffy; Pitbull sparks Choi
Arman Tsarukyan defeated Mauricio Ruffy by KO (elbows) at 4:56 of Round 1. After eating a clean right hand early and shifting into grappling mode — with Ruffy defending the takedowns well — Tsarukyan, clinched along the fence late in the round, unleashed a pair of quick, hard elbows that put Ruffy out. UFC.com said the win cemented Tsarukyan’s standing as the No. 1 contender at lightweight; he has won six straight, with four of his last five finishes coming inside the distance.
Patricio Pitbull defeated Dooho Choi by KO (strikes) at 3:28 of Round 1. The veteran featherweights stood and traded from the outset; a clean right hand froze Choi momentarily before he crumbled, and Pitbull pounded out the finish. Now 2-2 in the UFC, the 38-year-old said he finally feels settled into life in the Octagon and called for Jean Silva next.
Menifield edges Baraniewski
Alonzo Menifield defeated Iwo Baraniewski by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) to open the main card. UFC.com reported Menifield battled through a compound fracture of his left thumb and outworked the Polish prospect. The light heavyweights spent the first round throwing bombs — Baraniewski landing the bigger blows, Menifield holding his own and breaking Baraniewski’s nose — before Menifield’s experience carried the later frames. The win gave Menifield consecutive victories over promising light heavyweight prospects.
Crypto.com UFC 331 main card results
- Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 50-45) — flyweight title retained
- Arman Tsarukyan def. Mauricio Ruffy by KO (elbows) at 4:56 of Round 1
- Patricio Pitbull def. Dooho Choi by KO (strikes) at 3:28 of Round 1
- Sean Sharaf def. Gable Steveson by KO (left hand) at 0:12 of Round 1
- Alonzo Menifield def. Iwo Baraniewski by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Source: UFC.com Crypto.com UFC 331 results by E. Spencer Kyte, September 20, 2026.
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