Philadelphia — Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja run it back at next month’s UFC 331 in Los Angeles, and the pair at times got heated during the event’s first press conference on Friday.
In front of media and fans in Philadelphia prior to the UFC 330 ceremonial weigh-ins, Van appeared to make things personal, promising to “whup his [Pantoja’s] ass September 19.”
Pantoja famously lost his title last December after injuring his arm early in his first fight with Van, who claimed gold and defended it earlier this year against Tatsuro Taira. Now, Pantoja returns looking to pick up where he left off. Yet Van suggested their first fight wouldn’t have ended differently even without the injury.
“Had that not happened, I would still whup his ass that day. September 19 is just another opportunity for me to whup his ass again.”
Those comments appeared to get under Pantoja’s skin, though he’d later claim things weren’t personal.
“First, I think he needs to wash his mouth. I respect where I’m from, I’m from Brazil. In Brazil, you need to take care about what you talk. If you don’t, maybe you lose your teeth.”
Despite losing his belt, as a man, “he don’t defeat me,” Pantoja added. He went on to talk about winning eight straight fights prior to losing the belt.
That’s when Van interjected. “We’re not here for your story, bro. We’re here for the fight. Let’s go.”
“Hey kid, when someone talk, you shut your f*cking mouth. You understand? You understand that?” Pantoja fired back, with Van repeatedly telling the Brazilian to shut up.
Then, with Van questioning what the former champ would do about it, Pantoja made a move towards him, and was restrained by security. Yet when he took the mic again, “The Cannibal” had a final message for champ Van. “Hey kid. September 19, you’re going to be locked in the octagon with me, brother.”
There’s no love lost between the two it seems, which might drum up more interest in the Los Angeles card. The event took a hit when Charles Oliveira was unable to make it to an expected match-up with Arman Tsarukyan. While Dana White refused to address Oliveira’s absence on Friday, it’s presumably due to the untimely passing of teammate Allan Nascimento.
UFC 331 takes place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on September 19, 2026.
