UFC 331 features Joshua Van defending title against Alexandre Pantoja
MMA Fighting • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 3:30 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
UFC 331 is set for this Saturday in Los Angeles, where Joshua Van will defend his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch. The co-main event includes Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy, both seeking a lightweight title shot. Additional storylines involve Ilia Topuria's return and accusations against Justin Gaethje. The event follows the launch of Scott Coker's new promotion, Ki MMA.
- •Joshua Van defends flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja.
- •Co-main event features Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy.
- •Ilia Topuria claims he is back and accuses Justin Gaethje.
- •Ki MMA promotion officially launches this week.
- •Event takes place in Los Angeles on Saturday.
- 3:30 PMMMA Fighting — Between the Links: Countdown to UFC 331, Ilia Topuria’s comments, Aspinall vacates, more
- 3:30 PMYahoo Sports — Between the Links: Countdown to UFC 331, Ilia Topuria’s comments, Aspinall vacates, more
"The UFC returns to numbered events with a trip to Los Angeles for UFC 331. In the main event, Joshua Van defends the flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch, while Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy hope to earn a lightweight title shot in the five-round co-main event. What are the biggest questions heading into that fight and the event as a whole? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the big storylines heading into Saturday’s card, if a win gets the co-main event winner a title shot, and more. Additionally, topics include Ilia Topuria declaring he’s back and his cheating accusations towards Justin Gaethje, Scott Coker’s new promotion Ki MMA officially launching this week and behind the scenes stories from Monday’s event in New York City, RAF 13 headlined by Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns, Ray Lewis potentially competing for RAF, and much more. Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee as they answer your questions all show long. Watch the show live at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT in the video above. If you missed the show live, you can still watch above, or listen to the podcast version, which can be found below and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods.
"MMA Fighting discusses the biggest stories in combat sports this week
Sources
External links- MMA FightingSep 17, 2026, 3:30 PMBetween the Links: Countdown to UFC 331, Ilia Topuria’s comments, Aspinall vacates, more
The UFC returns to numbered events with a trip to Los Angeles for UFC 331. In the main event, Joshua Van defends the flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch, while Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy hope to earn a lightweight title shot in the five-round co-main event. What are the biggest questions heading into that fight and the event as a whole? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the big storylines heading into Saturday’s card, if a win gets the co-main event winner a title shot, and more. Additionally, topics include Ilia Topuria declaring he’s back and his cheating accusations towards Justin Gaethje, Scott Coker’s new promotion Ki MMA officially launching this week and behind the scenes stories from Monday’s event in New York City, RAF 13 headlined by Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns, Ray Lewis potentially competing for RAF, and much more. Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee as they answer your questions all show long. Watch the show live at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT in the video above. If you missed the show live, you can still watch above, or listen to the podcast version, which can be found below and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods.
- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 3:30 PMBetween the Links: Countdown to UFC 331, Ilia Topuria’s comments, Aspinall vacates, more
MMA Fighting discusses the biggest stories in combat sports this week
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