UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 Odds, Picks & How to Watch
Twenty-six seconds crowned Joshua Van. It did not tell us whether he can truly beat Alexandre Pantoja. The flyweight title returns to the center of the Octagon on Saturday, September 19, when Van defends against the former champion at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Their first fight ended almost immediately after Pantoja dislocated his elbow, leaving strategy, stamina, and supremacy unresolved.
Van now brings blistering volume and a successful defense. Pantoja brings four past title defenses, elite scrambling, and a 12-year experience gap. The betting line has moved toward the younger champion, but this rematch remains a collision between pressure striking and opportunistic grappling.
Ready for Saturday’s championship card? Explore our expert UFC betting guide before building your fight-night ticket.
Van vs Pantoja 2 Betting Odds
| Fight Lines | Reference Odds | Place Your Bet! |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van ML | -130 | Place Bet @ FanDuel |
| Alexandre Pantoja ML | +110 | Place Bet @ FanDuel |
| O/U | 3.5 Rounds | +100 | -125 | Place Bet @ FanDuel |
Expert Picks: Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
🥇 Best Bet: Joshua Van Moneyline
Van’s speed and pace should become more influential the longer this fight remains upright. He lands 8.43 significant strikes per minute, owns strong takedown defense, and has already proved his cardio in a fifth-round title defense. Pantoja is dangerous everywhere, but Van has more dependable minute-winning tools at this career stage.
Pick 2: Over 2.5 Rounds
The first meeting lasted only 26 seconds, but its injury finish offers little evidence that an early stoppage is likely again. Pantoja has never been cleanly stopped by strikes in the UFC, while Van can maintain pressure without forcing reckless exchanges. Three completed rounds look more likely than another instant ending.
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Pick 3: Joshua Van by KO/TKO
If Van wins, cumulative damage is his most credible finishing route. He attacks in combinations, works at a pace Pantoja rarely encounters, and stopped Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round. Pantoja’s durability may carry him deep, but sustained body-head volume could force a championship-round stoppage rather than a clean one-shot knockout.
Pick 4: Pantoja Over 1.5 Takedowns
Pantoja cannot afford to contest a pure-volume kickboxing match. His clearest adjustment is to close distance, chain attacks, and make Van defend repeated takedowns. With a career average of 2.79 takedowns per 15 minutes, landing at least two offers a logical prop even if Van ultimately retains the championship.
Why the First Fight Settled Almost Nothing
Van officially defeated Pantoja by first-round TKO at UFC 323, but the result requires context.
- Pantoja attempted a high kick, Van caught it, and the Brazilian landed awkwardly, dislocating his elbow. The fight was stopped after only 26 seconds. Van became champion, but neither man had time to establish his striking, wrestling, or five-round game plan.
- Since then, Van has strengthened his claim to the belt by stopping Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round. Pantoja has focused on recovering and earning the opportunity to reclaim the championship he previously defended four times.
- The rematch is therefore more revealing than the official 1-0 head-to-head record. This is effectively the first extended tactical test between them.
Van vs Pantoja Tale of the Tape
| Category | Joshua Van | Alexandre Pantoja |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Record | 17-2 | 30-6 |
| Age | 24 | 36 |
| Height | 5’5” | 5’5” |
| Reach | 65” | 67.5” |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Significant Strikes Landed/Min | 8.43 | 4.38 |
| Significant Strike Accuracy | 62.37% | 54.61% |
| Takedowns Per 15 Minutes | 0.82 | 2.79 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 61.54% | 47.62% |
| Submission Attempts/15 Minutes | 0.21 | 0.98 |
| UFC Title Defenses | 1 | 4 |
| Head-to-Head Wins | 1 | 0 |
Key Betting Trends
- Van is 17-2 as a professional.
- He has won seven consecutive fights.
- Van lands 8.43 significant strikes per minute.
- He successfully defended the title against Tatsuro Taira.
- Van is 12 years younger than Pantoja.
- Pantoja owns 12 career submission victories.
- The former champion averages 2.79 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Pantoja successfully defended the UFC flyweight title four times.
- Their first meeting ended after only 26 seconds because of Pantoja’s elbow injury.
- Van has moved from a slight underdog to the betting favorite.
- Both fighters have previously demonstrated five-round stamina.
- Pantoja has never lost by submission.
Recent Fight Form
Joshua Van
| Opponent | Result |
|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | Won by fifth-round TKO |
| Alexandre Pantoja | Won by first-round TKO—included injury |
| Brandon Royval | Won by unanimous decision |
| Bruno Gustavo da Silva | Won by third-round TKO |
| Rei Tsuruya | Won by unanimous decision |
Alexandre Pantoja
| Opponent | Result |
|---|---|
| Joshua Van | Lost by first-round TKO—included injury |
| Kai Kara-France | Won by third-round submission |
| Kai Asakura | Won by second-round submission |
| Steve Erceg | Won by unanimous decision |
| Brandon Royval | Won by unanimous decision |
Where to Watch UFC 331 in the US
- Event: UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2
- Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Championship: UFC Flyweight Title
- Scheduled Rounds: Five
Final Prediction: Does Van Prove the First Win Was No Accident?
Pantoja’s opening minutes will be dangerous because his clinch entries, back takes, and submission instincts can punish one careless exchange. Yet the champion’s advantages should grow as the fight stretches out. Van is younger, faster, and capable of forcing a pace that makes every failed takedown expensive. Pantoja may bank early control, but holding Van down repeatedly for five rounds is difficult. Expect Van to defend enough shots, reopen the fight at distance, and increase combinations. The challenger remains durable, so the finish should come through accumulated damage rather than one punch. Van retains by fourth-round TKO late in California.
- Prediction: Joshua Van wins by fourth-round TKO
- Best Bet: Joshua Van Moneyline
- Rounds Pick: Over 2.5 Rounds
- Value Pick: Joshua Van by KO/TKO
- Fighter Prop: Alexandre Pantoja Over 1.5 Takedowns
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