Joshua Van will enter the octagon against Alexandre Pantoja with the flyweight title and a distinction.

At 24, he’s the only reigning UFC champion younger than 33.

That’s one reason he’s seen as vulnerable against the 36-year-old Pantoja headed into their rematch. Pantoja won the flyweight title in 2023 and defended it four consecutive times before an arm injury led to a first-round TKO defeat against Van in December.

But Van, who became the second-youngest champion in UFC history behind only Jon Jones, hardly comes across as deferential among the elders.

Case in point: he has predicted he’ll stop Pantoja in the main event at UFC 331.

"We've studied him and seen a little hole that he has in his game that we are going to capitalize on," Van told Full Send MMA. "There's a couple of things I can't speak on, but it's going to be done within three rounds."

USA TODAY Sports will have live updates, highlights and analysis for the entire UFC 331 fight card.

The highly anticipated rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 and can be streamed on Paramount+.

Preston Palm, The Big Lead: Pantoja is a better striker than Taira, but Van still clearly holds the advantage in that department. Van’s improved grappling defense will be key and will propel him past Pantoja in the rematch. Prediction: Van by unanimous decision.

RG.org: Van enters this rematch off arguably the best win of his career — a fifth-round stoppage of grappling ace Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 that answered every question about whether he could hold up against a true title challenger over 25 minutes. Prediction: Van by decision.

Gillian Robertson, UFC strawweight (via BJPenn): “With Van’s last fight, I didn’t like what I saw in the grappling. I think Pantoja will get it to the ground and dominate. Prediction: Pantoja wins.

Jed Meshew, MMA Fighting: “(Pantoja) is even older now, and coming off an injury, while Van is even better and has even more confidence.” Prediction: Van wins.

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