Yet another hard-hitting UFC competition is coming soon, and all eyes are on a flyweight title bout. Joshua Van is set to face off against rival Alexandre Pantoja amid significant fanfare.
This will be their second face-off within the octagon, so it is only reasonable that rumor mills are already buzzing. Which warrior is expected to emerge victorious? Why has this rematch drawn so much attention? Have the tipsters begun to favor one fighter over the other? These are some of the questions Ultimate Fighting Championship fans are asking, and we are here to answer them.
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The Tale of the Tape
Any set of worthwhile expert betting picks and predictions for UFC 331 will naturally begin by examining each fighter in more detail. So, what do these professionals bring to the canvas?
Joshua Van currently boasts a record of 17 wins, two losses, and zero draws. This Burmese-American MMA fighter is the current UFC flyweight champion and the first Myanmar fighter to earn such an accolade. He is 24 years old, weighs in at 57 kilograms, possesses a reach of 165 centimeters (according to his last bout), and stands at 1.65 meters tall.
Van joined the UFC in 2023 and quickly began to rack up an impressive number of accolades. These include:
- He is currently the second-youngest champion in UFC history
- Fastest knockout in a title fight (more on this later)
- The first UFC champion of Burmese descent
- The highest striking accuracy of any UFC flyweight
- The first champion of the UFC who was born in the 2000s
Furthermore, Van was ranked the second-best fighter of the year in 2025. While still quite young compared to many of his contemporaries, it is clear to see that Joshua Van should never be underestimated.
Alexandre Pantoja has been called the polar opposite of Van in many ways, and that observation makes a great deal of sense when we look at the stats. Pantoja’s current record is 30 wins, six losses, and no draws. At 36, Pantoja has experience on his side when it comes to the pressure of the night.
While this UFC professional is virtually the same height and weight as Van, he has a slightly longer reach (173 centimeters). He is also a former flyweight champion after walking away with a victory over Brandon Moreno in 2023 at UFC 290. Finally, Pantoja has earned plenty of recognition on his own. Some accomplishments include the most victories in the flyweight division, the most finishes, and the most submissions.
Van vs. Pantoja 1: A Closer Look
It seemed inevitable that these two fighters would eventually face off in the octagon. This prediction came to fruition at UFC 323 in December 2025. A fair amount of excitement had built up before the match (this was Pantoja’s fifth title defense), and the outcome was far from certain. We need to remember that Pantoja is known for his expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. On the other hand, Van’s strengths lie in his technical boxing abilities. Will Van take the lead by knockout after the opening bell, or will Pantoja’s ground-and-pound force a submission? Fans would not have to wait long to find out.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is its unpredictable nature. This worked in Van’s favor while simultaneously stopping Pantoja in his tracks. Soon after the opening bell, Van was able to block and hold one of his high kicks. This caused Pantoja to fall to the ground after a push. Unfortunately, he landed awkwardly on his arm, leading to an elbow dislocation. The match was stopped, and Van won by technical knockout (TKO).
The problem here is that fans from both camps were expecting a much longer bout. A first-round injury due to what some have called a slip is also hardly the way a fighter wants to lose a bout. Let’s also remember that this knockout occurred after only 26 seconds. This sentiment was not lost on Van. As opposed to celebrating a victory, he instead remained muted as doctors began to attend to the disturbingly distorted elbow of Pantoja.
It did not take long for tipsters to begin speaking about a rematch. However, some were wondering if such an injury would cause the older Pantoja to finally throw in the towel. This was not to be the case, and after a fair amount of conjecture, both will once again be heading into the Octagon.
Although odds are important when wagering on who might take the title, we need to dig a bit deeper. Let’s now compare the fighting styles of each champion to better understand why one may be slightly favoured over the other.
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Joshua Van
Most tipsters would rightfully observe that Van has youth on his side. However, this is really only the beginning of what he might be able to muster up on 20 September. His background in boxing largely comes into play here. As opposed to the long, looping punches often associated with the MMA, his clean style leaves little in terms of telegraphing. This makes it difficult for opponents to counter his attacks; especially if Van is on the offence.
Van also knows how to use his bodyweight to add force to every punch, and he tends to focus heavily on hip rotation (not unlike traditional martial arts such as Shotokan karate). This is quite important, as flyweights will often struggle with power. Van does not seem to suffer from such a pitfall.
His training also comes into play here. Many of his current skills can be attributed to the time spent with Daniel Pineda, and the 4oz Fight Club. It seems that a more aggressive disposition comes naturally, and this allows him to exert a significant amount of pressure on opponents soon after the opening bell. Some have even claimed that this mindset reflects more of a street fighting approach as opposed to a well-thought-out game plan.
Having said this, the fact of the matter is that Van has little experience on the ground. We have already witnessed countless boxers fall victim to Jiu-Jitsu practitioners who are happy on their backs. In the event that Van is forced to adapt to a ground-and-pound scenario, some have wondered if he possesses the skills to emerge from the clinch. While he currently holds a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu, this might not be enough against a more experienced opponent. Additionally, a noticeably high guard may leave Van exposed to looping attacks. One brutal example of this was when he succumbed to a hard-hitting uppercut from Charles Johnson early in his UFC career.
Alexandre Pantoja
Few would argue that Alexandre Pantoja is one of the most talented Jiu-Jitsu flyweights in recent times. He is known for his relentless pressure while in the octagon, and this is one of the reasons why Pantoja has been nicknamed “The Cannibal”.
Another massive strength that Pantoja will bring to any match involves how comfortable he is on his back. Similar to Royce Gracie, it could even be argued that he prefers this position when compared to a standard boxing bout. This has enabled him to secure several “backpacking” transitions leading to submission moves such as body-lock triangles, or rear-naked chokes.
In terms of intensity, pace, and endurance, Pantoja is on virtually equal footing with Joshua Tan. This forward pressure will often cause opponents to back up, to lose their composure, and to become mentally worn down. When combined with a granite-like chin, it is easy to see why Pantoja has remained such a formidable flyweight over the years.
Still, Pantoja is not without his flaws. Some have compared his stand-up fighting style to a bar brawler; denoting a slightly sloppy disposition that can leave his chin exposed after throwing wild punches. This come-and-get-it approach could likewise lead to defensive errors.
Tipsters have also highlighted the age of Pantoja. At 36 years old, a handful of experts have wondered if his better days have already passed. One example of how this might very well be true involves the elbow dislocation suffered at the hands of Van in their first fight. It is nonetheless important to remember that age and experience could also cancel each other out. This is one area that could come to define their rematch, while leads us into what betting experts have to say.
Van vs. Pantoja 2: More of the Same, or a One-Sided Game?
As this rematch is literally just around the corner, the associated betting odds are rapidly beginning to solidify. At the time that this article was written, Van is favoured over Pantoja (-128 compared to +107). Why are the odds currently leaning towards Van?
There are several ways in which this question can be answered. Some feel that a sudden upset victory could once again be in the works; especially if Pantoja has not fully recovered from his elbow injury. Others have (perhaps rightfully) cite Pantoja’s age, and note that he may be approaching the end of an illustrious career. It has also been mentioned that Van may be looking for a quick first-round knockout; a strategy that could negate Pantoja’s focus on high-pressure tactics that stretch over multiple rounds.
The passion between these two fighters must also be taken into account, and it appears as if Van feels he has more to lose. His main intention is to prove that the first win was not a fluke, and this sentiment has already been expressed by some of his detractors. While both seemed to be respectful after the decision of their first bout, things have recently taken a somewhat vitriolic turn after a series of social media posts publicised by Pantoja.
Pantoja was recently quoted as saying “You beat me as a fighter, but as a man, you didn’t beat me”. Although this is likely nothing more than pre-fight hype, it also appears to have gotten beneath Van’s skin.
What is the Best Betting Strategy for UFC 331?
We have now examined each fighter in a considerable about of detail. We have analysed their strengths, possible weaknesses, and how sportsbooks seem to be favouring Van (at least for the moment). So, what type of betting approach is the most appropriate?
Most tipsters agree that moneyline wagers are the safest strategies. These types of bets are simply intended to predict the winner of a match. Straight moneyline bets are shown to be accurate approximately 70% of the time. The same cannot be said when discussing the rather unpredictable nature of blind parlay wagers, especially for those who are cautious about their bankroll.
What occurs during the first round is also extremely relevant here. In the event that a favourite is taken to the canvas, or otherwise suffers a brutal beating, their associated odds tend to improve. This is because it is likely that they will make a comeback in the next round; a type of rebound that wagering enthusiasts are keen to take advantage of.
Only Days Away
We can rest assured in the fact that both fighters will leave nothing to chance when it comes to UFC 331, and securing the flyweight title. This is why experts believe that (barring any type of sudden injury) the match should be quite close. Will the experience of Alexandre Pantoja be able to supersede the youthful pressure of Joshua Van? Might Pantoja instead still be haunted by the demons of his recent elbow dislocation? These questions have yet to be answered, and we will not have to wait much longer to see who rises to the occasion.