{
  "id": 8625577,
  "title": "Van beats Pantoja to retain UFC flyweight title",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/van-beats-pantoja-to-retain-ufc-flyweight-title",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T06:08:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/van-beats-pantoja-retain-ufc-060841428.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Joshua Van, a 24-year-old fighter from Myanmar, retained his UFC flyweight title with a decisive victory over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. The match took place in December 2025, following their first fight in May 2025. Pantoja suffered an accidental elbow dislocation just 26 seconds into that bout.\n\nVan, the UFC champion born in the 2000s, had previously defended his title against Tatsuro Taira in May but now solidified his position as the top flyweight. After the fight, Van proudly stated, \"A lot of people said that was an accidental win, well, doubt me now.\"\n\nPantoja dominated the early rounds, landing heavy punches and knees before Van retaliated with a slicing elbow. In the second round, Van continued to outmaneuver Pantoja with left-handed jabs and a fluid punch combo, ultimately rocking the Brazilian. Despite controlling the fourth round and taking Van down, Pantoja failed to submit his opponent.\n\nThe judges' scorecards ultimately favored Van, who secured the win in the final round with an overhand right, knocking Pantoja down. Scottish fighter Casey O'Neill also won on the same night, submitting Eduarda Moura with an armbar. Though released after seven consecutive wins, Mokaev expressed his desire to return to the UFC.",
  "summary": "Joshua Van retains his flyweight title with a commanding win over Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Ciryl Gane crowned UFC heavyweight champion and defends title vs controversial Josh Hokit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ciryl-gane-crowned-ufc-heavyweight-champion-and-defends-title-vs",
        "published": "2026-09-20T02:11:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Myanmar’s Van defeats Pantoja to retain flyweight title in UFC 331",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/myanmars-van-defeats-pantoja-to-retain-flyweight-title-in-ufc-331",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:03:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}