Pantoja and Wang Trade Heated Words at UFC 331 Press Conference

Flyweight champion Joshua Van and former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja had to be separated at Thursday's UFC 331 press conference, as a war of words between the two nearly escalated into something physical ahead of their September 19 showdown.

Van, who holds the flyweight belt and carries a 17-2 record, made clear he has no interest in revisiting the past. The 24-year-old from Myanmar dismissed talk of a prior injury as a non-factor, framing the upcoming bout simply as another opportunity to get the better of Pantoja. Fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club, Van has been one of the division's most active and accurate strikers, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate — numbers that paint a picture of a champion who can impose his will in a hurry.

Pantoja, ranked first in the flyweight division and fourth pound-for-pound, pushed back sharply. The Brazilian veteran warned Van to choose his words more carefully and drew a distinction between losing a championship and losing one's identity as a fighter. Now 36 and competing out of American Top Team, Pantoja carries a 30-6 record built over a long and decorated career. He is a more measured offensive presence at 4.36 significant strikes per minute, but compensates with relentless grappling — averaging 2.8 takedowns and one submission attempt per 15 minutes, giving him a clear path to victory if the fight hits the canvas.

Why it matters

• The personal animosity adds an extra layer of intensity to what is already a flyweight title rematch with championship gold on the line.
• A win for Pantoja would reclaim the belt and further cement his standing as a pound-for-pound elite at age 36.
• Van's elite striking volume against Pantoja's grappling-heavy approach sets up a genuine stylistic clash that could be decided by where the fight takes place.