UFC tonight centres on a championship rematch in Los Angeles as Joshua Van defends the UFC flyweight title against former champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The event takes place at Crypto.com Arena and gives Pantoja an opportunity to reclaim the belt after an injury stopped the pair’s first meeting 26 seconds into the opening round. Van later established himself as champion with a fifth-round stoppage of Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328, according to UFC’s event announcement.
For Canadian viewers, the main card is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern Time, with the prelims beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The early prelims are listed for 5:30 p.m. ET. Sportsnet identifies UFC 331 as a pay-per-view event available through Sportsnet+, while UFC’s Canadian viewing information points fans to the event’s regional broadcast options.
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Ufc Tonight: UFC 331 start times in Canada
| Section | Eastern Time | Pacific Time | Canadian viewing option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early prelims | 5:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | Sportsnet/UFC availability may vary by package |
| Prelims | 7 p.m. | 4 p.m. | Sportsnet+ |
| Main card | 9 p.m. | 6 p.m. | Sportsnet+ pay-per-view |
Atlantic viewers can add one hour to the Eastern schedule, while viewers in the Central and Mountain zones should adjust accordingly. The advertised times are subject to the length of earlier fights and walkout timing.
UFC 331 main card
- Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja — UFC flyweight championship
- Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy — five-round lightweight bout
- Patricio Pitbull vs Dooho Choi — featherweight bout
- Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf — heavyweight bout
- Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski — light heavyweight bout
The co-main event is a significant test for Tsarukyan, who enters on a five-fight winning streak, against Ruffy, a rapidly rising contender coming off a stoppage win over Michael Chandler. The bout is scheduled for five rounds, adding extra importance to conditioning and late-fight adjustments, according to UFC’s matchup coverage.
Steveson, a former elite wrestler, is also returning to the main card after recording a first-round TKO in his UFC debut. He faces Sharaf in one of the night’s heavyweight matchups, where a single clean exchange could change the fight quickly, as outlined in UFC’s official fight-by-fight preview.
UFC 331 preliminary card
- Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain
- Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne
- Michael Aswell Jr. vs JooSang Yoo
- Ryan Gandra vs Ozzy Diaz
Canadian interest is especially strong in the featured preliminary bout between Charles Jourdain of Beloeil, Quebec, and Marlon Vera. Jourdain enters the bantamweight contest having gone 3-0 since moving down to 135 pounds, according to UFC’s preliminary-card coverage.
The heavyweight preliminary matchup between Tuivasa and Despaigne is another potential highlight. Tuivasa is a familiar fan favourite, while Despaigne returns after a long absence and brings a record of six stoppage wins among his professional victories, according to the UFC’s card report.
Early prelims
- Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira
- Casey O’Neill vs Eduarda Moura
- Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito
All bouts apart from the two five-round headliners are scheduled for three rounds. Official weigh-ins showed Van and Pantoja each at 125 pounds, while Tsarukyan weighed 156 pounds and Ruffy 155 pounds for their five-round lightweight contest, according to UFC’s official weigh-in results.
What is at stake in the main event?
Van is trying to strengthen his position as the division’s champion after winning the belt in unusual circumstances and then successfully defending it. Pantoja, meanwhile, is seeking to become only the third fighter in UFC flyweight history to regain the championship after losing it, according to UFC’s account of the rematch.
The rematch also carries a clear tactical question. Van has the opportunity to show that his championship run was not defined by the earlier injury stoppage, while Pantoja will look to use the grappling and submission skills that helped him build four successful title defences before the first fight ended, as detailed in the official fight preview.
Fight cards can change because of injuries or medical issues, so viewers should check the official UFC or Sportsnet listings before the broadcast begins. The event is scheduled to proceed from Los Angeles on September 19, 2026, with the main card following the prelims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UFC event tonight?
UFC 331, officially billed as Van vs Pantoja 2, takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
What time does UFC 331 start in Canada?
The early prelims are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET, the prelims for 7 p.m. ET and the main card for 9 p.m. ET.
How can Canadians watch UFC 331?
Sportsnet lists UFC 331 as a pay-per-view event available through Sportsnet+, with availability and pricing determined by the platform.
Who is fighting in the UFC 331 main event?
Joshua Van defends the UFC flyweight championship against former champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Is Charles Jourdain fighting at UFC 331?
Yes. The Quebec fighter is scheduled to face Marlon Vera in a featured preliminary bantamweight bout.
Fact-Checked: Key event details, bout listings, weigh-in figures and Canadian viewing information were checked against UFC and Sportsnet listings.
Disclaimer: Fight times and matchups can change because of broadcast timing, injuries or other last-minute event updates.