“Fearless” does not hold back this time.
And the gathering has been nothing like their first meeting.
Van captured the flyweight championship from Pantoja in December 2025, but the fight lasted just 26 seconds after the Brazilian dislocated his elbow trying to brace himself against the canvas. Van has since legitimized his reign with successful title defenses Tatsuro Taira (watch the highlights), but questions about that unusual first meeting have continued to fuel the rematch.
What began as a respectful rivalry has now become much more personal.
During UFC 331 kickoff press conference last month in Philadelphia, Pantoja left his seat and tried to confront Van first Dana White intervened (look at it). According to the former champion, Van successfully pushed the right buttons.
“He did a good job (which pissed me off),” Pantoja said at UFC 331 media day. “I’m from the ’90s. If you didn’t respect your mom and dad, they slapped you. I thought about it, but Dana White stopped me.”
Van answered soon after and didn’t hold back.
“As far as I’ve checked, I’m her father,” Van said. “I don’t know what he was talking about. You know what he was talking about? He should take a beating for that. He was respectful after the fight, but then he started doing interviews and making me the bad boy. I told him we’re going to fight again.”
Van believes Pantoja has tried to position himself as a respectful “good guy” while portraying a master villain throughout the build-up.
“I don’t know what his deal was, but I was just annoyed,” Van added. “He’s trying to be the guy where he’s the good guy, right? Trying to make me the bad guy. I don’t mind, but it’s the way he says things, like Countdown video… this is funny to me. We will fight on Saturday and find out who is the better man.
Their first fight was built on mutual respect between a dominant longtime champion and a fearless young upstart. Less than a year later, disrespect, unfinished business and a championship both men believe belong around their waists fuel a rematch.
Pantoja insists that he has stopped selling the game and is now solely focused on reclaiming his title. However, the rivals will have one last chance to exchange words at Thursday night’s UFC 331 press conference.
Based on how their last press conference went, White might want to keep his hands ready.
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