Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC 331
UFC 331 lands at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Saturday night, with a five-fight main card starting at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+, headlined by a flyweight title rematch loaded with unfinished business.
Champion Joshua Van defends against former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, who is chasing revenge after their first meeting ended controversially when Pantoja broke his arm mid-fight. Van’s speed, volume and championship poise made him a legitimate 125-pound ruler in that bout, but a fully healthy Pantoja brings elite grappling chain-work, veteran fight IQ and one of the division’s best resumes. This rematch carries real intrigue over whether Van’s first reign was circumstantial or a changing of the guard.
The co-main event is a rare five-round non-title lightweight showdown between No. 2-ranked Arman Tsarukyan and surging No. 7 Mauricio Ruffy, with serious championship implications riding on the outcome. Tsarukyan’s relentless wrestling and cardio clash against Ruffy’s dynamic striking and finishing instincts.
Elsewhere, MMA legend Patricio Pitbull faces knockout artist Doo Ho Choi at featherweight, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson takes another heavyweight test against Sean Sharaf, and undefeated Iwo Baraniewski meets veteran Alonzo Menifield at light heavyweight to open the main card.
Who do our experts like to get their hands raised in these matchups?
Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2
HayJive – Joshua Van
- “I’ll take Joshua Van in the main event. Pantoja is 36 and coming off a 10-month layoff due to injury, so I’m not confident we’ll see the best version of him here. Van is only 24, has all the momentum and confidence, and just showed against an elite grappler in Tatsuro Taira that he can escape bad positions and work back to his feet. On the feet, I think Van is the more technical boxer and higher-volume striker. I’ll take the younger champion to get it done.”
Nolan – Joshua Van
- “Van’s cardio, striking, youth, and ability to get to his feet is what makes me believe it’s still his time. Pantoja is older, coming off injury, and out of his depth on the feet.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Alexandre Pantoja
- “It’s been a while since Pantoja has had to fight with something to prove, which will be the case here. Van hasn’t been tested in the deep waters when he’s not the one pushing the pace and Pantoja has proven copious times he can alter the momentum of fights with his cardio and pace.”
The Fight Analyst – Joshua Van
- “I thoroughly expect this fight to be very close, but the way that Joshua Van is able to defend takedowns and get better as the fight goes on, it’s going to make it tough for Alexandre Pantoja if he doesn’t get the early finish. Van should defend the grappling early and pour it on late to retain his title.”
Austin Swaim – Joshua Van
- “Joshua Van’s striking volume is unprecedented for a guy through 145 octagon minutes, including Max Holloway. Though Alexandre Pantoja is dangerous on the back, I just can’t back that one scenario — which Van may survive — to fade what I feel is the most quickly ascending superstar in all of UFC.”
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy
HayJive – Mauricio Ruffy
- “I’ll take a shot on Mauricio Ruffy as the underdog. At +290, I think the line is too wide and assumes Tsarukyan will simply take Ruffy down and dominate him. Ruffy has changed camps since the BSD fight, and I expect him to have made improvements knowing exactly what Tsarukyan will want to do. He does an excellent job controlling range and making opponents work to close distance, and Tsarukyan isn’t the same relentlessly aggressive pressure fighter as Saint-Denis. Every round starts standing, and Ruffy has the power to change the fight with one shot. At this price, I think the upside is worth the shot.”
Nolan – Mauricio Ruffy
- “Time to shock the world. Ruffy’s distance management is his way of keep it standing. His movement is crazy and will give Arman problems. And Ruffy has the ability to shut the lights off anyone.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Mauricio Ruffy
- “Ruffy has some of the best lateral and backwards movement in the UFC. Arman will be forced to take risks to cut the range and will be tagged coming in. Additionally, Ruffy’s takedown defense is UNDERRATED and it won’t be easy to keep him down.”
The Fight Analyst – Arman Tsarukyan
- “This is a very dangerous fight for Arman Tsarukyan to take when his shot for the title is on the line. However, seeing what a lesser grappler in Benoit Saint-Denis was able to do about a year or less ago leads me to believe that Tsarukyan can replicate that same game plan as he goes out there, mixes in the takedowns, eventually gets the finish on the mat, and secures his spot next for a lightweight title shot.”
Austin Swaim – Arman Tsarukyan
- “I actually initially submitted Ruffy as my pick to win a longer fight, but it’s tough to see the Brazilian striker banking three rounds or finding a finish if Arman is able to have early wrestling success. While I think Tsarukyan’s moneyline is a little bit inflated based on his potential weapons to finish the fight, he’s got a heavy favorite for a reason if he doesn’t get sniped early.”
Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi
HayJive – Doo Ho Choi
- “I’ll take Doo Ho Choi. I expect him to be the more aggressive fighter and land the bigger shots on the feet. Pitbull may try to mix in his wrestling, but I’ve been impressed with Choi’s defensive grappling since returning from military service. I trust Choi to keep this fight where he wants it and get the win.”
Nolan – Doo Ho Choi
- “Choi is so skilled on the feet, also showing to be extremely durable. If it stays standing I expect him to cruise to a victory here.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Patricio Pitbull
- “Experience will be a primary factor in this fight. I think Pitbull will have the saviness to control the tempo in this fight, which will make the main difference.”
The Fight Analyst – Doo Ho Choi
- “Doo Ho Choi’s speed, volume and power are going to be the difference makers against the aging veteran Patricio Pitbull. As long as he can keep this fight on the fight, he will have the better of the exchanges until he eventually puts Pitbull away and gets his hand raised.”
Austin Swaim – Doo Ho Choi
- “It wasn’t that long ago that Pitbull took a crazy beating from Aaron Pico, and I think this is too short of a turnaround at 39 years old against an insanely dangerous Korean Superboy. Choi’s 1.20% knockdown rate carries through an enormous sample, and he just KO’d a much younger, more athletic Brazilian foe.”
Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf
HayJive – Gable Steveson
- “I’ll take Gable Steveson. Sharaf is tough, but he’s hittable on the feet and I don’t trust his ground game against an opponent like this. Steveson should be the superior athlete, can compete on the feet, and obviously has the ability to take this fight to the ground whenever needed. Steveson is the pick.”
Nolan – Gable Steveson
- “Gable has all the wrestling accolades to give me confidence he wins another fight here. His striking is powerful as well, and mixing both together gives him great upside.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Gable Steveson
- “Not going to overthink it. I think this fight will be a copy of his first fight, though we may see slightly more pushback from the opponent.”
The Fight Analyst – Gable Steveson
- “The UFC is giving Gable Steveson another give-me fight against a low-level competitor in Sean Sharaf. Expect another highlight reel finish for the Olympic Gold medalist.”
Austin Swaim – Gable Steveson
- “UFC doesn’t have much interest in giving these rising heavyweights a competitive fight, so this will be a mauling. I wasn’t particularly impressed with Steveson’s striking or power, so I think he gets back to his wrestling to dominate either with plenty of control or a quick submission.”
Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski
HayJive – Alonzo Menifield
- “I’ll take Alonzo Menifield as another underdog. Iwo hasn’t proven himself against this level of competition yet, and he’s never been beyond the first round. If this turns into a first-round firefight, Menifield has enough power to catch him, especially considering Iwo has been dropped before. If the fight extends into rounds two and three, Menifield also has a significant experience advantage that could allow him to give Iwo a veteran lesson.”
Nolan – Iwo Baraniewski
- “Iwo hasn’t even reached his peek. He’s got the striking to hang with Alonzo and hurt him, but also has the grappling to dominate in this spot.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Iwo Baraniewski
- “Once more, let’s not overthink this one. The pathway is easy, and he has the power and skills to get it done early. His patience in shot selection will be highlighted.”
The Fight Analyst – Iwo Baraniewski
- “This is a considerable step up for Iwo Baraniewski, but it is a fight that I see he can make a statement in. Baraniewski’s power will be evident in round 1 against Alonzo Menifield, and once he lands flush on his chin, he will put him away early.”
Austin Swaim – Iwo Baraniewski
- “Alonzo Menifield just got done with a fraud check, so I can understand why someone thinks another may come. Iwo was dropped in a sloppy fight with Ibo Aslan not long ago. But, he’s rapidly improving at 27 with devastating power, leg kicks, and judo we haven’t even seen yet. Menifield is still the gassy, flaky guy who ran onto Carlos Ulberg’s first punch — and he’s now pushing 40.”
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