MMA
Patricio ‘Pitbull’ makes violent case for new UFC deal with Round 1 KO
Published
6 minutes agoon
“Pitbull†Freire delivered a statement win in a bid to extend
his stay in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Freire took on Doo Ho Choi
(17-5) in a featherweight tilt at UFC
331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This being
the last fight of his contract, Freire repeatedly stated his desire
to continue fighting in the UFC and promised to put on a
performance worthy of a contract renewal.
Patricio Freire knocks out Doo Ho Choi at UFC 331 before
calling out Jean Silva
Freire backed up his promise, dropping Choi with a monstrous right
hand to earn a first-round finish. Having had a lukewarm UFC career
before UFC 331, the former Bellator
champ apologized to fans and called out Jean Silva,
who is known for barking at his opponents, to determine the bigger
dog amongst the two.
“I'm sorry about my last three fights,†Freire said in his
post-fight interview. “I feel that [UFC 331] was my debut. I don't
know what happened to me. But I'm so happy… The pressure here is
bigger [than Bellator]. But now I feel comfortable… Jean Silva,
let's see who is the dog.â€
Freire (38-9) previously lost to Yair
Rodriguez and Aaron Pico
in the UFC, while edging a lackluster unanimous decision against
Dan
Ige. Meanwhile, Silva (18-3) has finished five of his six UFC
wins, while only losing to two-time title challenger Diego
Lopes. “Lord†beat Jose
Delgado at
Noche UFC 4 earlier this month.
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MMA
Jon Jones’ reaction says it all after Gable Steveson’s 12-second KO loss
Published
3 hours agoon
September 20, 2026
Jones had a clear view of one of the biggest upsets in
Ultimate Fighting Championship history.
His protégé, Gable
Steveson, suffered the first loss of his professional mixed
martial arts career at UFC
331, with Sean Sharaf
recording a 12-second knockout at Crypto.com Arena in Los
Angeles.
Sean Sharaf hands Gable Steveson his first MMA loss in stunning
UFC 331 upset
Heavy betting favorite Steveson entered the matchup unbeaten at
4-0, while Sharaf was 0-2 in the UFC. The latter uncorked a left
hook early in the fight, putting the former to sleep. Steveson's
mentor, Jones, watched on and his reaction to the knockout is
circulating online.
The former two-division UFC champion seemingly said, “Oh, my God!â€
while looking at his fellow cornermen.
Steveson dismissed Sharaf as a threat in the lead-up to the fight,
relegating him to just a stepping stone towards his championship
aspirations. “The Smoke†even provoked the polarizing Olympian at
the pre-fight presser, bringing up past controversies that have
turned many against him.
Jon Jones
reaction pic.twitter.com/d0G1EwhLkK— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist)
September 20, 2026
MMA
Pros react to Joshua Van defeating Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331: "Horrible judging"
Published
11 hours agoon
September 20, 2026

Tonight's UFC 331 event was headlined by a highly anticipated men's flyweight title fight rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.
Van and Pantoja had originally collided back at UFC 323 in December of last year, where ‘The Fearless' walked away with the promotion's coveted men's flyweight title after ‘The Cannibal' suffered a nasty arm injury the rendered him unable to continue (see that here).
Joshua Van (17-2 MMA) had since successfully defended the 125lbs strap on one occasion, earning a fifth-round TKO victory over Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old had entered tonight's rematch sporting a seven-fight winning streak.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering that aforementioned arm injury against Van at UFC 323. Prior to that setback, ‘The Cannibal' had strung together a seven-fight winning streak, an impressive stretch which included four successful title defenses over opponents Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.
Tonight's UFC 331 main event proved to be an absolute thriller. Alexandre Pantoja came out guns blazing, but Joshua Van was able to weather the early onslaught and get his boxing going shortly thereafter. While Pantoja was able to get the fight to the floor in dominant positions on multiple occasions, he was never able to get off any really solid offense from those spots. The fight seemed to be razor close heading into the fifth and final round, but it was in those last five minutes that Van cemented his status as champion. He was able to drop the Brazilian with a right hand and pretty much controlled the entire fifth round.
Official UFC 331 Results: Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–47, 50–45)
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Van vs. Pantoja 2' below:
This will be Pantoja’s 7th UFC title fight.
TUF fighters with the most title fights:
Kamaru Usman: 8
T.J. Dillashaw: 8#UFC331— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 20, 2026
UFC MAIN EVENT… It's a pick'em fight so just sit back and watch the two best FlyWeights throw down.
I'm more excited for their 2nd fight than I was for their first fight. Sit back and enjoy!— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) September 20, 2026
Fight looks like it's on 2x speed #UFC331
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) September 20, 2026
That was a super close round
I have it 10-9 Pantoja by the absolute slimmest of margins
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 20, 2026
This is some gorgeous stuff. Those clinched to take downs and then the sprawls. High-level.
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 20, 2026
Van is starting to heat up going into this third round
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 20, 2026
This is a very good fight #UFC331
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) September 20, 2026
How they keeping this pace, madness #ufc331
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) September 20, 2026
Van's takedown defense has looked great and that will be the biggest difference going into the championship rounds
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 20, 2026
Man. This is a good one! Van is a step ahead and Pantoga is relentless.
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 20, 2026
Pantoja able to play back into his game. 2-2 going into the final round
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 20, 2026
I have it 10-9 Pantoja, although I do feel that should have been stood up. Pantoja barely landed anything on the ground.
I have it 38-38 heading into the final round. Big stakes right here.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 20, 2026
2-2 going into the 5th. I wanna see a 3rd fight already haha
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) September 20, 2026
Post-fight reactions to Joshua Van defeating Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331:
50-45…… horrible judging.
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) September 20, 2026
Looks like they put a food deliver driver to fight against Van
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 20, 2026
50-45 is crazy but that was a great fight van vs kape is gonna be all hands
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 20, 2026
Watching fight Great fights pic.twitter.com/ssZpazIB19
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 20, 2026
What a fight, What a card, What a fucking sport #UFC331
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) September 20, 2026
Who would you like to see Van fight next following his decision victory over Pantoja this evening in Los Angeles? Share your thoughts in the comment section Penn Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights
Published
11 hours agoon
September 20, 2026

The Octagon returns to Los Angeles for tonight's UFC 331 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2.
Van and Pantoja originally collided at UFC 323 in December of last year, where ‘The Fearless' walked away with the promotion's coveted men's flyweight title after ‘The Cannibal' suffered a nasty arm injury the rendered him unable to continue (see that here).
Joshua Van (17-2 MMA) has since successfully defended the 125lbs strap, this after earning a fifth-round TKO victory over Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old will enter tonight's rematch sporting a seven-fight winning streak.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the aforementioned arm injury against Van at UFC 323. Prior to that setback, ‘The Cannibal' was riding a seven-fight winning streak, a stretch which included four successful title defenses over the likes of Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.
UFC 331 is co-headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight bout featuring Arman Tsarukyan taking on MaurÃcio Ruffy.
(via Zuffa LLC)
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA) will enter the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent Octagon victory coming against Dan Hooker via second-round submission in November of 2025. Prior to that triumph, ‘Batman' had earned a split decision win over current BMF title holder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
Meanwhile, MaurÃcio Ruffy (14-2 MMA) was most previously seen in action at June's UFC Freedom 250 event, where he scored an impressive first-round TKO win over former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. The hard-hitting Brazilian has gone 4-1 over his past five fights, with his lone setback in that time coming against Benoit Saint Denis by way of submission.
If that wasn't enough to get you interested, tonight's UFC 331 main card lineup also features a featherweight matchup between PatrÃcio Pitbull and Doo Ho Choi.
Pitbull (37-9 MMA) will enter the bout looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Aaron Pico at April's UFC 327 event. Prior to that setback, the former Bellator champion was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige.
Meanwhile, Doo Ho Choi (17-4-1 MMA) currently boasts a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring TKO victories over Bill Algeo, Nate Landwehr and Daniel Santos. Prior to those impressive finishes, the Korean standout had fought Kyle Nelson to a majority draw.
Get all of tonight's live results and highlights below (refresh for updates):
UFC 331 Main Card (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)
Joshua Van (125) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (125) – Van def. Pantoja by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–47, 50–45)
UNDENIABLE 🇲🇲@JoshuaVanBT defends his flyweight title by defeating Alexandre Pantoja by Unanimous Decision at #CryptoCom #UFC331! pic.twitter.com/sch9xFf3FV
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan (156) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (155) – Tsarukyan def. Ruffy via KO (elbow) at 4:57 of Round 1
🚨🇦🇲 Arman Tsarukyan 100% earned a title fight next with this performance 👠🔥🔥 #UFC331 pic.twitter.com/hKpFb4FWsA
— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) September 20, 2026
ARMAN KNOCKS MAURICIO RUFFY OUT COLD!!!
📺 #UFC331 on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/v7mDUuLQGI
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026
Patricio Pitbull (145.5) vs. Doo Ho Choi (146) – Pitbull def. Choi via KO (punches) at 3:28 of Round 1
PICTURE PERFECT 👊@PatricioPitbull just delivered the finest performance of his UFC career so far!
[ #CryptoCom #UFC331 is LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/8ldv8PA9Cy
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Gable Steveson (240) vs. Sean Sharaf (241) – Sharaf def. Steveson via KO (punch) at 0:12 of Round 1
UFC 331
SEAN SHARAF 1 Punch KO ON GABLE
STEVESON 👀 pic.twitter.com/0SX90OdcNu— Mando (@mando5000) September 20, 2026
Alonzo Menifield (205.5) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (206) – Menifield def. Baraniewski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ATOMIC GOT IT DONE 😤
Alonzo Menifield wins a close Split Decision at #CryptoCom #UFC331! pic.twitter.com/dlmaZGfhYy
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
UFC 331 Prelims (Paramount+, 7 p.m. ET)
Marlon Vera (136) vs. Charles Jourdain (135) – Vera def. Jourdain via TKO at 2:02 of Round 3
CHITO GETS THE FINISH IN LA
What a performance by @ChitoVeraUFC at #CryptoCom #UFC331! pic.twitter.com/bx21eEG9lb
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Tai Tuivasa (264.5) vs. Robelis Despaigne (263) – Despaigne def. Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Big Boy is back 🙌
Robelis Despaigne leaves #CryptoCom #UFC331 with the Split Decision win over Tai Tuivasa! pic.twitter.com/LaQH6N0gbL
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Michael Aswell (146) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (145.5) – Aswell def. Yoo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Underdog gets it done! ✅@AswellMichael takes the Split Decision over JooSang Yoo at #CryptoCom #UFC331! pic.twitter.com/yQDM6U0hgp
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Ryan Gandra (186) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186) – Gandra def. Diaz via TKO (punches) at 2:04 of Round 1
OK so @Gandra_Ryan has scary power 😳
He just overwhelmed Ozzy Diaz to get the first round TKO at #CryptoCom #UFC331! pic.twitter.com/qrgD4iaVQZ
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2026
UFC 331 Early Prelims (Paramount+, 5:30 p.m. ET)
Edmen Shahbazyan (185) vs. Brunno Ferreira (184.5) – Shahbazyan def. Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
BY UNANIMOUS DECISION 🙌
Great victory for @EdmenShahbazyan at #CryptoCom #UFC331! pic.twitter.com/srwhceTOdx
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2026
Casey O'Neill (125) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.5) – O'Neil def. Moura via submission (armbar) at 3:22 of Round 1
OUT OF NOWHERE 🤯
This armbar from @KingCaseyMMA was INSANE!
[ #CryptoCom #UFC331 is LIVE NOW on @ParmountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/xceHHhXptj
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2026
Giga Chikadze (146) vs. Joanderson Brito (145.5) – Brito def. Chikadze via KO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 1
SETTING THE TONE 😤
Joanderson Brito with the wild TKO and celly to kick off #CryptoCom #UFC331!!
[ WATCH ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/V41650djAs
— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2026
Who are you picking to win tonight's flyweight title fight rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja? Share your predictions in the comment section Penn Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Patricio ‘Pitbull’ makes violent case for new UFC deal with Round 1 KO
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