Pantoja Restrained By White After UFC 331 Heated Exchange

Alexandre Pantoja charged across the dais toward Joshua Van during Friday's UFC 331 press conference before Dana White and security stepped in to restrain the former flyweight champion.

The incident came after Van interrupted Pantoja mid-answer, telling him to focus on their September 19 rematch instead of his division history. Pantoja fired back with a warning to the reigning titleholder, per MMA Fighting.

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"Hey kid, when someone talks, you shut your mouth," Pantoja said. "You understand that?"

Van responded by asking what Pantoja would do about it, prompting the Brazilian to stand and move toward the champion before White intervened. Van mocked Pantoja as security sat him back down, telling him he would not do anything and to get some milk, according to MMA Mania.

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Van-Pantoja Rematch Set After Controversial First Meeting

The tension stems from their UFC 323 bout last December, which ended 26 seconds in when Pantoja dislocated his elbow while falling to the mat. Van claimed he would have won regardless of the injury. Pantoja dismissed Van's tough-guy persona as fake, calling him afraid despite his Fearless nickname.

Van has since defended the belt with a fifth-round stoppage of Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 in May, while Pantoja recovered from the arm injury that cost him the title. Their first faceoff for the rematch remained heated, with both fighters jawing as White kept them separated.

UFC 331 takes place September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles with Van making his second title defense.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja have to be separated at UFC 331 press conference: ‘When someone talks, you shut your f*cking mouth’
• MMA Mania — Video! Alexandre Pantoja restrained by Dana White during heated UFC 331 press conference, shares fiery staredown with champion Joshua Van