Taking place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the main card begins on Sunday, 20 September at 5:00 AM UAE time and 4:00 AM KSA time.

The championship rematch follows an unusual ending to their first encounter at UFC 323. Van claimed the flyweight title after an arm and elbow injury left Pantoja unable to continue just 26 seconds into the fight, leaving both men without the decisive conclusion they had expected.

Van has since strengthened his claim to the throne. The 24-year-old successfully defended the championship against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328, stopping the Japanese challenger in the fifth round to demonstrate his composure, endurance and finishing ability across a full championship contest.

For Pantoja, UFC 331 represents an opportunity to reclaim the title he previously defended four times. The Brazilian remains the division’s number-one-ranked contender and returns determined to restore his championship reign.

The stakes are clear: Pantoja wants his belt back, while Van has the opportunity to produce the conclusive victory that eluded him in their first meeting.

Major lightweight title implications also feature in the five-round co-main event as number-two-ranked Arman Tsarukyan faces seventh-ranked Mauricio Ruffy.

Tsarukyan enters the fight riding a five-bout winning streak and looking to reinforce his position among the division’s leading contenders. Standing across from him will be one of the UFC’s most dangerous rising finishers. Ruffy has recorded 13 knockouts from 14 professional victories, including a statement stoppage of Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250.

The card also features former Bellator two-division champion Patricio Pitbull against Dooho Choi, Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson facing Sean Sharaf and a heavyweight clash between knockout artists Tai Tuivasa and Robelis Despaigne. Marlon “Chito” Vera also returns to face Charles Jourdain in the bantamweight division.

Fans across the Middle East and North Africa can watch UFC 331 live and exclusively on STARZPLAY on Sunday, 20 September. The early prelims begin at 1:00 AM UAE time and 12:00 midnight KSA time, followed by the prelims at 3:00 AM UAE time and 2:00 AM KSA time and the main card at 5:00 AM UAE time and 4:00 AM KSA time.