Alexandre Pantoja Loses Title Rematch to Joshua Van at UFC

Alexandre Pantoja's quest to regain the UFC flyweight championship ended in defeat. The 36-year-old Brazilian challenger lost a unanimous decision to titleholder Joshua Van in the main event of UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 20, 2026.

Pantoja started with furious intent, refusing a glove touch and securing a takedown within the first ten seconds. He hunted for dominant positions early, but Van's composure and striking adjustments turned the tide. An accidental head clash in the second round opened a cut over Pantoja's left eye. The veteran fighter swung momentum back in the fourth with suffocating top control, forcing a decisive final round. Van dominated that fifth frame, dropping Pantoja with a clean one-two combination and controlling the action until the final bell. The judges scored it 49-46, 49-47, and 50-45 for Van.

The decisive nature of the scorecards, particularly one judge's 50-45 tally, drew immediate reaction from the MMA community. Fighters took to social media to praise Van's performance and discuss the fight's implications. Many noted that Van had silenced doubts from their first meeting, which ended after just 26 seconds due to a gruesome arm injury suffered by Pantoja at UFC 323 in December 2025. The rematch, which earned 'Fight of the Night' honors, provided a clear and conclusive result over 25 minutes.

That's the question posed by flyweight legend Demetrious Johnson. Speaking on his podcast, Johnson suggested the time may be right for Pantoja to consider walking away. "He's in the no-man's land where he's beaten everyone already," Johnson said, referencing Pantoja's prior wins over top contenders like Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. "Pantoja is 36. That's where my black ass just goes, 'Dog, ride off into the sunset. You don't need to get hit. You don't need concussions anymore. You've done your thing.'" At 36 and with a legacy as a former champion secure, Pantoja's next move is uncertain.

The loss triggered an immediate shift in the UFC's official flyweight rankings. Manel Kape replaced Pantoja in the No. 1 contender position following UFC 331. This sets Kape up for the next title shot against champion Joshua Van. Pantoja, having now lost twice to Van including the injury-shortened first bout, finds himself displaced from the top of the division he once ruled.

• Joshua Van defeated Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-47, 50-45) on September 20, 2026.
• The loss caused Pantoja to lose his No. 1 contender ranking to Manel Kape.
• Demetrious Johnson publicly advised the 36-year-old Pantoja to consider retirement.
• The fight was a rematch of their UFC 323 bout, which ended in 26 seconds due to a Pantoja arm injury.

Pantoja has not yet publicly commented on his future plans. His team will likely need time to assess options after a hard-fought five-round war. For now, the flyweight division moves forward with a young champion and a new top contender, while a respected former king ponders what comes next.