Joshua Van cemented his reign as the undisputed flyweight champion, securing a unanimous-decision victory over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old from Myanmar demonstrated a superior striking performance to retain his title.

This pivotal win settled the score between the two fighters, as their previous encounter in December last year ended prematurely due to an accidental elbow dislocation suffered by Pantoja just 26 seconds into the bout. That incident saw Van crowned champion without a definitive win over the Brazilian, who had held the division's top spot for over two years.

Van's victory via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-47, 50-45) marked his second successful title defense. His professional MMA record now stands at 18 wins and two losses. "A lot of people said that was an accidental win … well, doubt me now," Van stated after the fight, addressing lingering questions about his initial championship claim.

The fight saw an intense first round, with Pantoja securing a takedown and landing significant strikes, but Van retaliated effectively. Following advice from his coaches to adopt a more tactical approach rather than engaging in a brawl, Van shifted his strategy.

In the subsequent rounds, Van utilized his jab effectively and landed a powerful combination in the third. Although Pantoja managed to take him down in the fourth round, he could not secure a submission. The fight concluded in the final round when Van knocked Pantoja down with an overhand right, sealing his victory on the judges' scorecards.

In the co-main event, Armenian contender Arman Tsarukyan strengthened his claim for a lightweight title shot by knocking out Mauricio Ruffy with a swift elbow in the first round. "I knew my time would come, so I was patient," Tsarukyan commented, extending his winning streak to six fights and calling for a bout against champion Justin Gaethje.

Featherweight action also featured a dominant performance from Patricio Pitbull, the former four-time Bellator champion. He achieved his first UFC stoppage win against Dooho Choi, TKO'ing the South Korean fighter within three minutes and 28 seconds of the opening round through relentless striking, culminating in a decisive right hand.

Van, the first UFC champion hailing from Myanmar, had previously defended his belt against Tatsuro Taira in May. His victory over Pantoja not only solidifies his championship status but also provides a clear, decisive win against a former division leader, leaving no doubt about his position at the top of the flyweight division.