UFC 331 Announced: Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja 2 Headlines Los Angeles Card

Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will meet again in an inevitable rematch at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19. Their first meeting ended with more questions than answers, while Arman Tsarukyan will face Mauricio Ruffy in a high-stakes lightweight co-main event.

Van heads into UFC 331 with some MMA fans still questioning whether he is the rightful champion despite having his hand raised in their first meeting. The 24-year-old is one of the most exciting and dangerous fighters in the UFC and is currently riding a seven-fight win streak. Although his bout with Pantoja ended after the Brazilian dislocated his elbow, Van will now get the chance to end the rematch with no questions surrounding who the better man is.

Since becoming world champion, 'The Fearless' did not wait for the former champion to recover from his injury, instead defending his title against Tatsuro Taira in May. It was a remarkably close back-and-forth battle, with Van eventually securing a fifth-round TKO.

Immediately after defending his title, Van made it clear who he wanted next: Pantoja.

Before facing Van, 'The Cannibal' was on a dominant run as champion, making four title defences in two years and cementing himself as one of the greatest flyweight champions of all time. Pantoja was making title defences look routine, which is why his injury in the opening round against Van left many questioning whether the new champion had truly taken the crown from him.

In Los Angeles, Pantoja will look to become a two-time UFC flyweight champion and continue where his previous reign left off. However, the Brazilian is facing a man 12 years his junior, leaving questions over whether Father Time could play a factor in the rematch or if Pantoja can prove his greatness once more.

After Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria on the Freedom 250 card, Arman Tsarukyan appeared to be the next contender for the new champion. However, the UFC appears to have gone in a different direction with this bout now scheduled. While Tsarukyan still has something to prove, Ruffy will look to steal the show and put himself into the title conversation.

Tsarukyan has looked like one of the best lightweights in the world when competing inside the Octagon, holding victories over Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker and Beneil Dariush. However, controversies outside the cage appear to have played a role in holding him back from receiving another title opportunity.

In this bout, he has another chance to display his skills and prove why he should be next in line for the belt. The 29-year-old is an elite-level grappler with power in both hands, while his only two defeats in the promotion have come against Islam Makhachev and Mateusz Gamrot, two high-level opponents. Tsarukyan has learned from those defeats and is currently riding a five-fight win streak.

With an upset victory, Ruffy could throw himself directly into the lightweight title picture. The Brazilian is a fast, fluid and elite striker. Although he suffered defeat to Benoit Saint Denis last year, Ruffy bounced back in impressive fashion with knockout victories in Australia and on the White House card.

Also announced for UFC 331, Brian Ortega will make his long-awaited lightweight debut in an intriguing grappling matchup against Renato 'Money' Moicano. The former title challenger spent much of his career in the featherweight division, where he faced some of the sport's biggest names, including Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

For Moicano, it is an opportunity to prove he remains one of the best grapplers in the division and build on his victory over Chris Duncan in April. A win for either man could open the door to another major fight against a big name in the lightweight division.

UFC 331 is shaping up to be a major night in Los Angeles, headlined by a highly anticipated championship rematch between the new guard and the old guard. Can Van silence the remaining doubters, or will Pantoja reclaim his flyweight crown? With Tsarukyan vs Ruffy and Moicano vs Ortega also carrying major implications for the lightweight division, the newly announced card already has plenty at stake.