The championship rematch showcased a clash of styles, as Pantoja attempted to leverage his grappling to stifle the Myanmar-born fighter. While the Brazilian found success with early takedowns, Van’s striking volume proved decisive. By the second round, Van had opened multiple cuts on Pantoja’s face, maintaining control through precise combinations and defensive discipline. The fifth round served as a final statement, with Van dropping Pantoja with a sharp one-two combination to the jaw, ultimately earning the judges' favor with scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-47. Both men were awarded a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for their efforts.
Earlier in the evening, Marlon "Chito" Vera revitalized his career by snapping a four-fight losing streak. Facing Charles Jourdain in a featured prelim, the 33-year-old Ecuadorian dominated the exchanges, recording a third-round TKO. Vera’s performance was highlighted by a series of knockdowns that set a new record for the bantamweight division, earning him a $25,000 Finish Bonus and a path back into the top 15 rankings.
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