Pantoja On Van's UFC 331 Withdrawal

Alexandre Pantoja is treating Joshua Van's withdrawal from their UFC 331 bout as a chance to reset, according to ESPN's coverage of Saturday's event in Los Angeles.

Van pulled out of the scheduled flyweight clash late in fight week, leaving Pantoja without an opponent on what was expected to be a marquee night for the division. The Brazilian champion remains on standby should a replacement emerge before the card airs.

What Pantoja's Team Says About The Opportunity

Coaches analyzing the situation for ESPN suggested Pantoja could benefit from the extra time to address lingering issues from his last camp. The flyweight landscape remains thin at the top, and a postponed fight gives the champion leverage in matchmaking negotiations.

UFC 331 proceeds Saturday night with a reshuffled main card. Pantoja has not indicated whether he will attend the event or return to training in Brazil.

Reported via:

• ESPN MMA — UFC 331 preview and picks: Pantoja sees opportunity in disaster