Demetrious Johnson Advises Alexandre Pantoja to Retire Following UFC 331 Loss

Alexandre Pantoja was defeated by Joshua Van in the main event of UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The judges scored the fight 50-45, 49-47, and 49-46 in favor of the reigning champion. This loss marks Pantoja's second consecutive defeat to Van, following a previous encounter that ended due to an elbow injury.

Following the event, former flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson stated on his YouTube channel that he believes Pantoja has little left to prove, citing the Brazilian's extensive resume which includes wins over Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval, and Manel Kape. Johnson expressed concern regarding the 36-year-old's long-term health and suggested that Pantoja avoid further damage by walking away from the sport.

Pantoja has not publicly addressed these retirement suggestions or indicated his future plans. Despite the recent setback, Pantoja remains a decorated former champion who captured the title in 2023 and successfully defended it four times during his reign.