Following Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title defense at UFC 330 in August, the Ultimate Fighting Championship shifts its focus from Philadelphia to Los Angeles for UFC 331. The main event features Burmese fighter Joshua Van, holding a record of 17-2-0, as he defends his flyweight championship belt against Brazilian contender Alexandre Pantoja, who stands at 30-6-0. The five-round bout is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at Crypto.com Arena.
The official start time for the event is 5 p.m. ET, or 2 p.m. PT, with the main card kicking off at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT. This matchup holds particular significance as it serves as a rematch; Van previously defeated Pantoja in just 26 seconds at UFC 333 in late 2025 to capture the title. After nearly a year as champion, Van remains the heavy favorite, though Pantoja enters the octagon healthy and motivated to reclaim the crown.
Given the high-profile nature of the event in Los Angeles, celebrity attendance is anticipated, with potential appearances from figures such as Shane Gillis, Anthony Kiedis, Chris Pratt, and Shaquille O’Neal. For those wishing to attend in person, last-minute tickets remain available through various retailers including Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, TicketNetwork, and Gametime.
UFC 331 will not be distributed as a traditional pay-per-view. Instead, it can be streamed live exclusively on Paramount+. New subscribers can access the event via the Paramount+ Essential plan, which begins at $8.99 per month. Since Paramount+ does not offer a free trial, viewers looking to minimize costs can sign up for a Walmart+ subscription, which includes Paramount+ as a benefit. A 30-day Walmart+ trial is currently available for just $1, providing access to the stream along with other perks like free delivery and fuel discounts.
Alternatively, DirecTV offers a five-day free trial for cord-cutters seeking live sports coverage. Their Premier Package costs $139.99 for the first month before rising to $169.99, granting access to over 185 channels and Paramount+ for the UFC broadcast.
The complete fight card for UFC 331 is as follows:
Main Card (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
- Flyweight Title Fight: Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja
- Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Maurício Ruffy
- Featherweight: Patrício Pitbull vs. Choi Doo-ho
- Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski
Prelims (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)
- Heavyweight: Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf
- Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain
- Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne
- Featherweight: Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Yoo Joo-sang
Early Prelims (5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT)
- Middleweight: Ryan Gandra vs. Osman Diaz
- Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira
- Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs. Eduarda Moura
- Featherweight: Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito
I thought this was a PPV event? Good to know it’s on streaming now. Makes it way easier to watch with the family.
Gable Steveson on the prelims is a great surprise. As a wrestling fan, I can’t wait to see his MMA debut live.
Is it just me, or is the Paramount+ subscription model getting cheaper than PPV? Definitely saving money watching at home.
Twenty-six seconds? Van destroyed him last time. Pantoja has no shot unless he catches him early, which seems unlikely.
Did anyone else notice the headline date doesn’t match the article year? Seems like a confusing typo for new viewers.