UFC 331 Standouts: Next Steps for Champions and Challengers

UFC 331 took place in Los Angeles, California. The headline fight saw flyweight champion Joshua Van successfully defend his title in a rematch against Alexandre Pantoja. In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan faced Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight bout.

Van entered the fight having previously stopped Tatsuro Taira to make his first title defense. Pantoja, on the other hand, was coming off a loss to Van, having sustained an arm injury early in their prior encounter.

Van secured a decision victory in a competitive fight, retaining his flyweight championship. Tsarukyan, in the co-main event, achieved a knockout win in the first round with a notable elbow strike. Following UFC 331, here are suggested next steps for the event's key fighters.

Joshua Van

Joshua Van defended his flyweight belt in an engaging fight against Pantoja. His win silenced doubts about his championship status, especially given his previous victory over Pantoja due to injury. Van's performance against Pantoja solidified his claim as the legitimate champion.

For his next bout, Van is matched against Manel Kape. This matchup promises an action-packed striking exchange, expected to occur in early 2027.

Alexandre Pantoja

Alexandre Pantoja aimed to reclaim his flyweight title but faced challenges against Van at UFC 331. Pantoja struggled with Van's boxing, and his takedowns did not yield significant results.

This loss places Pantoja at a crossroads. At 36, his status as a top contender is uncertain. A fitting next opponent would be Asu Almabayev. Almabayev warrants a high-ranked opponent, while Pantoja will need to face someone lower in the standings. The winner of such a bout would likely be one step away from a title shot.

Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan secured a decisive knockout win over Mauricio Ruffy, reinforcing his position as the number one contender. Tsarukyan overcame early difficulties, including an eye injury, to achieve the KO victory.

With this win, Tsarukyan is positioned for a title fight. The opponent remains a question mark. If Justin Gaethje retires, a vacant title bout between Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria would be the logical next step. Should Gaethje take another fight, Tsarukyan's title shot could be slated for early 2027.

Mauricio Ruffy

Mauricio Ruffy had an opportunity to establish himself as a serious contender but suffered a significant knockout loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331. Following this defeat, Ruffy should take an extended break, with a return targeted for late Q1 or early Q2 of 2027. The division may evolve considerably by then, but a fight against Mateusz Gamrot could be a suitable option.