Former Champion Advises Alexandre Pantoja to Consider Retirement After UFC 331 Loss

Following his unanimous decision loss to reigning champion Joshua Van at UFC 331, Alexandre Pantoja has been urged by a former UFC champion to consider retirement from professional competition. The bout, which took place this past Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, saw Van defend his title with scores of 50-45, 49-47, and 49-46. During the five-round war, Van successfully dropped the Brazilian veteran, contributing to a dominant performance that underscored his status in the flyweight division. The unnamed former champion, often regarded as one of the greatest flyweights in history, suggested that Pantoja has little left to prove in the sport. Emphasizing the long-term health risks associated with the physical toll of title fights, the former champion remarked that Pantoja does not need to continue exposing himself to further concussions after an storied career. Pantoja, who has faced the elite of the flyweight division for years, has yet to issue a formal statement regarding his future plans in the promotion. The loss marks a significant hurdle for the veteran, coming in a high-stakes main event that highlighted both his resilience and the evolution of the flyweight landscape under Joshua Van.

Source: MMA Mania.