UFC 331 is upon us.
In Saturday's main event, Joshua Van defends the flyweight title in a rematch with former champion Alexandre Pantoja. In the co-headliner, Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy meet in a pivotal lightweight bout.
Here are three key storylines ahead of the UFC's return to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Who's really the best flyweight in the world?
Van and Pantoja have some unfinished business to settle.
Their first fight at UFC 323 last December, when Pantoja sought to defend the flyweight title for the fifth time, ended in unceremonious fashion. Just 26 seconds into the first round, Pantoja suffered an injury and couldn't continue, rendering Van the new champion.
It was such a disappointing finish because many expected Van to be the toughest challenge of Pantoja's title reign. But he never had the opportunity to prove it, even though he did leave the Octagon with the belt around his waist. (Of course, Pantoja didn't get a chance to show his superiority over Van, either.)
This time, we will find out once and for all - barring another catastrophe - who the best flyweight in the world is. Is it Van, the 24-year-old who has run rampant through the division since his UFC debut in 2023, or is it Pantoja, the 36-year-old who had reigned over the weight class for two-and-a-half years before getting hurt in the first fight?
This rematch is Pantoja's chance to remind everyone that he's been the UFC's best flyweight all along, and it's Van's opportunity to cement himself as the rightful king and let the world know that a new era is here at 125 pounds.
Will Tsarukyan finally get a title shot if he beats Ruffy?
Tsarukyan is on a mission to cement himself as the next challenger for the lightweight championship.
The No. 1-ranked contender is returning to the Octagon for the first time in 10 months and hopes that a win against Ruffy is his last step in securing a title shot.
He more than deserves a crack at the belt, but it's honestly hard to say if he'll get one after this fight. Ever since Tsarukyan backed out of the title fight with Islam Makhachev last year, UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that the Armenian needs to re-earn his opportunity. Will wins over Dan Hooker and Ruffy be enough?
Timing is everything in this sport, and it may not work in Tsarukyan's favor. Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will presumably defend the belt in the first half of 2027 (unless he decides to retire), and there are rumblings that the UFC might give Ilia Topuria an immediate rematch. Warranted or not, Gaethje-Topuria 2 is big business for the promotion, and that might leave Tsarukyan choosing between a long layoff and taking another fight.
Of course, if Tsarukyan loses at UFC 331, this whole discussion is for naught. And if Ruffy pulls off the upset, which is certainly possible, he'll steal Tsarukyan's thunder and insert himself into the lightweight title conversation instead.
Heavyweights on the rise
It's a fascinating time to be a heavyweight.
The top of the division is a mess, especially after Tom Aspinall vacated the title Monday due to his eye injuries. But the rest of the division is arguably healthier than it has been in years, with several prospects on the rise - two of whom will be in action at UFC 331.
If Gable Steveson and Robelis Despaigne want to make a splash, now would be a perfect time, considering the heavyweight division doesn't even have a freakin' champion.
Steveson, a collegiate wrestling champion and Olympic gold medalist, makes his second UFC appearance against Sean Sharaf. Meanwhile, Despaigne, fresh off a knockout win over Junior dos Santos on the MVP MMA card in May, begins his second Octagon stint against Tai Tuivasa.
These two fights are very important for the future of the heavyweight division. Steveson and Despaigne are still green, but they have a ton of potential. And the path to the belt just got a little bit shorter with Aspinall sidelined.
Steveson's top priority should be to rack up more minutes in the cage, while Despaigne is out to prove that he belongs in the UFC after his first run didn't go as planned. Big performances from both Steveson and Despaigne would be promising for the division.
