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Van vs. Pantoja 2 Headlines UFC 331

UFC 331 is shaping up with a Pantoja-Van rematch headlining, plus other big fights and news from around the MMA world.

Van vs. Pantoja 2 Headlines UFC 331

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UFC 331 is still a ways off, but the card is already looking stacked with some highly anticipated matchups. We’ve got a title rematch, a compelling co-main, and a few other interesting tidbits from the wider MMA landscape to dive into today.

Pantoja vs. Van 2 Headlines UFC 331

The flyweight title will be on the line at UFC 331 as Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van are set for a rematch in the main event. This will be a significant fight for both men, especially after their first encounter. The card is really starting to take shape, with 13 fights already confirmed, promising a full night of action for fans.

Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy Set for Co-Main

Adding to the excitement of UFC 331, Arman Tsarukyan is slated to face Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event. This lightweight clash is expected to be a high-stakes affair, with both fighters looking to make a statement. The depth of this card is certainly growing, and this particular matchup has a lot of people talking already.

UFC Vegas 120 and Noche UFC Updates

Looking ahead to UFC Vegas 120, we’ll see Darren Elkins step into the octagon for what he’s indicated will be his final MMA fight. Also on that card, Quillan Salkilld is reflecting on his journey to the main event, and Ty Cole Miller plans to leverage his reach against Billy Goff. Meanwhile, Jean Silva is expressing confidence for Noche UFC, promising a strong performance against Yair Rodriguez.

Till on Garry, Plus PFL and Brock Lesnar News

Darren Till recently called Ian Garry ‘fake’ ahead of Islam Makhachev’s title fight at UFC 330, adding some spice to the ongoing rivalries. In other news, the PFL Charlotte event has announced its complete fight card for August 7. And in a big announcement, former UFC champion and WWE star Brock Lesnar has reportedly announced his retirement, marking the end of an era for many fans.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: Scott Coker confirmed his new promotion will hold an event in France in Q1 2027.

Sources

Every source behind today's roundup (14)

We summarize the day’s news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work:

Open Scoring MMA is a daily AI-produced MMA and UFC news podcast. Listen to today’s episode, read the full Feed, or get every episode by email.

Episode transcript

Read the full episode transcript

Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 49 for August 6th, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC. DUKE: Alright, let’s dive right into it because the UFC just dropped a massive bomb on us with a ton of fight news for UFC 331, and it’s a big one.
NORA: Absolutely, Duke. We’ve got a flyweight title rematch headlining UFC 331 in September: Joshua Van versus Alexandre Pantoja. This is a fight that fans have been clamoring for since their first incredible bout.
DUKE: And it’s set for September 19th in Los Angeles, California, at the Arena. This isn’t just a main event, this is a statement. Van and Pantoja delivered a war the first time, and now they’re running it back for the strap.
NORA: It’s a huge booking, especially for the flyweight division, which has been on fire lately. Van’s ascent has been meteoric, and Pantoja is looking to reclaim his title. It’s a classic champion versus former champion narrative.
DUKE: But that’s not all for UFC 331. The card just got a whole lot deeper with some other significant additions. We’re talking anticipated rematches and even the return of Gable Steveson.
NORA: That’s right. The Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is set for his second fight in the promotion, which is always a big draw for casual and hardcore fans alike. It’ll be interesting to see his continued progression in the octagon.
DUKE: And speaking of big fights, Arman Tsarukyan is booked for UFC 331 as well, facing Mauricio Ruffy. This one has a bit of a backstory, doesn’t it?
NORA: It certainly does. For weeks, rumors were swirling about a potential rematch between Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira. But then, tragically, Oliveira’s teammate Allan Nascimento passed away suddenly this week.
DUKE: Man, that’s just awful news. Oliveira spoke about it, too. Quote, “Man I can’t believe it, it seems like a f***ing lie brother, it’s crazy,” end quote. And he also said, quote, “I don’t even know how I’m going to get onto the mat and go to a fight knowing you’re not going to be there,” end quote. You can feel the pain in those words.
NORA: It’s a truly heartbreaking situation for Oliveira. And it seems that the UFC had other plans for Tsarukyan anyway, as he’s now set to face the number seven ranked Mauricio Ruffy.
DUKE: And Dana White wasn’t exactly thrilled with Tsarukyan, either. Quote, “I’m not thrilled with Arman right now, and there’s a lot of different reasons. It’s not just the stuff that you see publicly,” end quote. That’s a pretty cryptic statement from the boss.
NORA: It is. Tsarukyan was ranked number two, and Ruffy is number seven, so it’s still a significant fight for the lightweight division, but it’s not the Oliveira rematch everyone was anticipating. The co-main event slot for Tsarukyan versus Ruffy also confirms the UFC’s confidence in both fighters.
DUKE: Moving on to Noche UFC, which is also shaping up to be a banger. Jean Silva is confirmed to headline the fourth edition of Noche UFC on September 12th in Arizona, and he’s not holding back on his confidence.
NORA: Not at all. Silva is set to face Yair Rodriguez, and he’s already promising to beat him. He’s displaying a lot of excitement and confidence, which is exactly what you want to see from a headliner.
DUKE: That’s a bold claim against a fighter like Yair Rodriguez, who’s known for his dynamic striking and unpredictable style. Silva’s going to have to back that talk up in the octagon.
NORA: It’s a featherweight clash, sixty-six kilograms, and Silva’s confidence could be a sign of a fighter truly believing in his abilities, or it could be a lot of pressure he’s putting on himself. Either way, it makes for an exciting build-up.
DUKE: And speaking of confidence, Darren Till has some strong words for Ian Garry ahead of Garry’s maiden title bout at UFC 330.
NORA: Till has labeled Ian Garry “fake.” It’s a pretty direct jab, and it adds another layer to the narrative surrounding Garry’s title shot. Till’s known for his outspoken nature, so it’s not entirely surprising.
DUKE: “Fake” is a strong word to throw around, especially when someone’s about to fight for a title. It’s going to be interesting to see if Garry responds to that, or if he just lets his performance in the cage do the talking.
NORA: It definitely fuels the fire. Garry has been a polarizing figure, and comments like Till’s only intensify that. It’s a classic pre-fight beef that gets fans talking.
DUKE: Alright, let’s switch gears a little bit. We’ve got some news from the PFL. The Professional Fighters League has finalized the lineup for its upcoming event in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 7th.
NORA: Yes, the PFL Charlotte card is complete, and it’s set to be headlined by a middleweight clash. The PFL continues to build out its season, and these regular-season events are crucial for fighters looking to advance.
DUKE: The PFL has been working hard to finalize their cards. Consistency is key for them as they try to carve out their niche in the combat sports landscape.
NORA: And it’s a good opportunity for some of their rising stars to make a name for themselves on ESPN. The middleweight division in the PFL has some serious talent, so that headliner could be a barnburner.
DUKE: Now, this next one is a big one for the history books. Brock Lesnar, former UFC champion and WWE star, has officially announced his retirement at 49 years old.
NORA: It’s the end of an era, Duke. Lesnar was one of the biggest names in combat sports, crossing over from professional wrestling to become a UFC heavyweight champion. His impact on both worlds is undeniable.
DUKE: Absolutely. He brought so many eyes to the UFC during his time there. It’s a definitive end to a legendary career, and he’ll be remembered as a true crossover superstar.
NORA: His retirement from pro wrestling means he’s officially hung up his gloves and boots for good. It’s a moment that marks the closing of a significant chapter in combat sports history.
DUKE: And speaking of legends, Darren Elkins is also set to make his final walk to the octagon at UFC Vegas 120 against Yadier del Valle.
NORA: That’s right, Duke. Elkins, known for his incredible toughness and wars, is calling it a career after nearly twenty years as a professional fighter. He’s been a staple in the featherweight division for a long time.
DUKE: He told MiddleEasy, quote, “I thought it was a really bad fight. I had a lot of injuries going into that fight. That’s why I’ve been out for so long, just recovering. I knew I was going to do this fight. If I was going to do this fight, I’m going to feel good so I can fight really well,” end quote. It sounds like he wants to go out on his own terms, feeling good and putting on a performance.
NORA: He’s definitely earned his retirement. His fights were always guaranteed action, and he’ll be missed in the octagon.
DUKE: Also on UFC Vegas 120, Quillan Salkilld is reflecting on his journey to his first main event. That’s a huge milestone for any fighter.
NORA: It is. Salkilld claims this main event slot is the culmination of a vision he’s carried since the beginning of his professional career. It’s a testament to his dedication and hard work.
DUKE: And Ty Cole Miller is planning to use his length against Billy Goff at UFC Vegas 120. It sounds like he’s sticking to his game plan.
NORA: Miller doesn’t see the need to deviate from his usual strategy, which suggests he’s confident in his reach advantage and how he can utilize it against Goff. It’s a smart approach if he can execute it.
DUKE: Alright, let’s talk about Jake Paul for a second. He wants to challenge the UFC, and TKO’s response wasn’t what many expected.
NORA: TKO Group Holdings, the UFC’s parent company, is reportedly unfazed by the recent merger between Most Valuable Promotions and the Professional Fighters League. They’re not showing any signs of concern.
DUKE: That’s a pretty calm reaction, especially given Paul’s history of stirring the pot. You’d think they’d at least acknowledge it with a little more fire.
NORA: It suggests they don’t see it as a significant threat to their market dominance, at least not yet. Or perhaps they’re playing it cool. Either way, it’s a telling response.
DUKE: The Reddit community, the r/MMA crowd, is having a field day with the news. They’re already speculating about potential fighters and matchups.
NORA: Yeah, the community is definitely buzzing about what’s next. There’s a lot of discussion about new promotions and potential European events.
DUKE: Alright, Nora, it’s time for the OSM Pick. We’ve got an upcoming fight to discuss.
NORA: We do. Our model is picking Landry Ward to win this one.
DUKE: Okay, talk me through it. What are the numbers saying?
NORA: The model has Ward at approximately seventy-eight percent to win.
DUKE: Seventy-eight percent. That’s a strong number.
NORA: It is. And the betting line implies around seventy-two percent, so we’re higher than the market on this one.
DUKE: So, we see some value there.
NORA: Absolutely. This is a value pick for us. We like it more than the line does.
DUKE: What are the top reasons for that confidence?
NORA: The physical attributes favor Ward, and his recent form is also a significant factor. He’s been looking very sharp.
DUKE: So, the eye test and the numbers are aligning on this one.
NORA: They are. The model is confident in Ward’s ability to control the fight based on those factors.
DUKE: Sounds like a solid pick then.
NORA: We think so.
DUKE: That’s all the time we have for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in to Open Scoring MMA.
NORA: We’ll catch you next time.

Before you go, two quick things. Check out our free Fight Tracker at tracker dot open scoring m m a dot com, with every upcoming UFC and PFL card, live odds, and where to watch, all in one place. And follow us on YouTube, just search Open Scoring MMA, for breaking news alerts, fight breakdowns, and videos you won’t get here on the feed. That’s it for today’s Open Scoring MMA. Keep your hands up, and we’ll see you next time.