Overview
- The UFC announced Wednesday that UFC 331 will take place Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena and that Joshua Van will defend the flyweight title in a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja.
- Arman Tsarukyan will return in the five‑round co‑main against Mauricio Ruffy and multiple outlets report the UFC told Tsarukyan a win would earn him a title shot, a claim attributed to journalist Ariel Helwani and not confirmed by the promotion.
- Reports say Charles Oliveira withdrew from the expected Tsarukyan rematch and that Oliveira’s absence followed the recent death of his teammate Allan Nascimento, leading the UFC to book Ruffy in his place.
- The promotion posted a 13‑fight card that layers big names and prospects — including Gable Steveson, Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega, Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne — and opening betting lines were released for key bouts.
- The Van–Pantoja headline is meant to settle the disputed title change that stemmed from Pantoja’s 26‑second elbow injury loss at UFC 323, and the card will test whether Van’s reign and Tsarukyan’s route back to the belt are broadly accepted by fans and the division.