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SportsMoney UFC Announces Full 13-Fight Card For UFC 331 By Trent Reinsmith ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Trent Reinsmith is a Baltimore-based writer who covers MMA and hockey. Follow Author Aug 07, 2026, 06:17pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary UFC 331's full 13-fight card has been announced for September 19 at Crypto.com Arena, featuring a highly anticipated title fight and a potential title eliminator. In the main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van will defend his belt against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch. Their previous encounter at UFC 323 ended quickly due to an injury to Pantoja, who had successfully defended the title four times prior. Van recently secured a TKO victory over Tatsuro Taira. The co-main event pits Arman Tsarukyan against Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round lightweight clash, with the victor potentially earning a shot at champion Justin Gaethje. Tsarukyan, who was previously slated for a title fight at UFC 311, recently defeated Dan Hooker, while Ruffy is coming off a TKO win against Michael Chandler. This stacked card promises an exciting night of fights.
A title fight and a possible title eliminator headline the UFC 331 fight card. The UFC recently announced the full 13-fight bout list for the fight promotion’s return to Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, September 19.
In the UFC 331 main event, current flyweight champion Joshua Van puts his title on the line against the man he defeated for that crown, Alexandre Pantoja. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan meets Mauricio Ruffy in what could be a lightweight title eliminator, with the victor moving on to face champion Justin Gaethje.
Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja Arman Tsarukyan vs. Maurício Ruffy Patrício Pitbull vs. Choi Doo-ho Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski
Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira
Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito Casey O'Neill vs. Eduarda Moura Ryan Gandra vs. Osman Diaz Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Yoo Joo-sang
Van (17-2) and Pantoja (30-6) faced off at UFC 323 in December. The bout lasted just 26 seconds, as an injury to Pantoja’s left arm as he fell to the mat left him unable to continue. The TKO loss ended Pantoja’s title run after four successful defenses. He initially won the UFC’s 125-pound crown in July 2023 with a split-decision win over Brandon Moreno. Pantoja’s title defense wins came against Brandon Royval (decision), Kai Asakura (submission), and Kai Kara-France (submission).
Van is coming off a May title defense win over Tatsuro Taira. That fight ended via TKO in the fifth round.
The co-main event of UFC 331 is scheduled for five rounds, which should give fight fans some indication that the promotion is treating the matchup between Tsarukyan (23-3) and Ruffy (14-2) as something special.
Tsarukyan was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev in a title fight at UFC 311 at Crypto.com Arena, but was forced from that event on weigh-in day. Tsarukyan has fought once since then, beating Dan Hooker via submission in November.
Ruffy is coming off a June TKO victory over Michael Chandler at the White House in June.
We will have more on UFC 331 as fight night approaches.
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