Alexandre Pantoja Drops Flyweight Crown After Five-Round War With Joshua Van

Alexandre Pantoja is no longer the UFC flyweight champion. The Brazilian veteran was outpointed by Joshua Van over five full rounds in their UFC 331 main event rematch, surrendering the title he had defended twice. This decisive loss, a unanimous decision for Van, reshapes the entire 125-pound landscape and pushes the 30-7 Pantoja into the role of a top contender looking for a path back to the top.

The fight at UFC 331 was a stark contrast to their first meeting, which lasted just 26 seconds before a freak arm injury stopped Pantoja. This time, they went the full 25-minute distance. Van, now 24, proved to be the sharper and faster striker as the fight progressed. He consistently landed the cleaner shots and controlled the pace, leaving Pantoja unable to mount a consistent offensive threat. All three judges scored the bout for Van. Pantoja, who had held the title since July 2023, now finds himself outside the champion's circle for the first time in over three years.

Immediately following the loss, Pantoja's position in the divisional hierarchy shifted. The latest official rankings from Sherdog confirm he has fallen to the No. 2 spot. Joshua Van sits firmly at No. 1 as the new champion and top-ranked fighter. This drop means Pantoja is now the highest-ranked contender, but he will have to wait as other fighters get their opportunity to challenge Van. The loss also impacts the title picture for other top contenders waiting in the wings.

The new champion already has a clear next challenger. Manel Kape stays as the No. 1 contender with a third-round technical knockout victory over Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 119 on June 20. That win marked Kape's eighth victory in his last nine UFC fights. With Pantoja dethroned, the path is clear for Kape to receive the next championship opportunity against Van. This leaves Pantoja in a queue, needing at least one more significant win to re-enter the title conversation.

Despite the loss for Pantoja, the five-round battle with Van at UFC 331 was recognized for its high-level action. MMA Junkie awarded it the Fight of the Month honor for September. The bout showed the technical skill and durability of both men, providing fans with the extended, competitive fight they were denied in their first encounter. For Pantoja, it's a small consolation in a fight where he was ultimately second best, but it shows the competitive spirit he brought to the octagon even in defeat.

Key Takeaways from Pantoja's Current Situation

• Pantoja lost the UFC flyweight title to Joshua Van via unanimous decision in the UFC 331 main event on September 28, 2024.
• He has dropped to the No. 2 position in the official flyweight rankings behind the new champion, Van.
• Manel Kape is the expected next title challenger, having earned a TKO win on June 20, which pushes Pantoja further back in the line.
• Their five-round title fight was named MMA Junkie's Fight of the Month for September 2024.

Pantoja's immediate future involves regrouping. At 34, he remains one of the most experienced and dangerous fighters in the division. But the road back to a title shot is now longer. He must watch as Van and Kape settle their business, all while other hungry contenders like Brandon Royval look to leapfrog him. His legacy as a former champion is secure, but his mission to reclaim the belt has just gotten much harder.