UFC 331 Van vs Pantoja II

Big Main Event on tap! The rematch!

The fight breakdown is below. The fighter I have to win is in bold.

Fight Picks!

Michael Aswell Jr vs Joo Sang Yoo

Featherweight fight! Yoo is mainly a striker and will try to find the knockout in this fight. Takedowns are far from Yoo. He is coming off a knockout loss. Aswell is coming off of two losses. The power is lacking for Aswell, which is a problem. Yoo should be able to find the knockout.

Casey O’Neil vs Eduarda Moura

Interesting fight. O'Neil has looked great and is coming off of two wins. On the feet, she is solid and has grappling upside. The grappling was in the past, yes, but the striking has been on the come-up for her. Moura is coming off a loss, and will she miss weight again? O'Neil should be able to control a decision win or even find the submission win.

Ryan Gandra vs Ozzy Diaz

Knockout incoming. Gandra is a round-one knockout fighter, and I can see that happening here again. Diaz has nothing in this fight to give. Gandra is going to piece him up quickly. I can see this being like the Gautier fight. Gandra knockout. Period.

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito

Fun fight. Giga has been up and down throughout his UFC career. Giga needs a win badly and is coming off of three losses. Those three losses have been on a streak since 2023. Giga has decent striking and has nice leg kicks. Brito is coming off two straight wins. Last fight was nice. Brito is an all-around fighter with both striking and grappling. This is a tough and close fight to pick. The version of Giga will be key in this fight. I like Brito to finish this fight inside the distance. The submission game is going to be overwhelming for Giga.

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira

I don't know what to think of Shahbazyan, and he is the slight favorite. The step up in competetion for Shahbazyan is where he fails, but the easy per say competetion is where he thrives. The striking and knockout power for him is nice. Ferreira needs a win and is coming off of two losses. He is the definition of a boom-or-bust fighter. The cardio is sketchy for him. I am slightly on Shahbazyan to win this.

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne

Big man fight! Despaigne is back in the UFC, and it is exciting to see him again. He is the massive favorite. Someone is getting knocked out. I don't understand how Tuivasa is still in the UFC. He is on a seven-loss streak. It is amazing that he isn't cut from the UFC. Despaigne is going to hunt for Tuivasa's head, and I think he will find it.

Charles Jourdain vs Marlon Vera

This is a fun scrap. Jourdain is the heavy favorite. Vera is a tough fighter to figure out. The 3rd round is normally his, but the first two are sketchy. Jourdain is an all-around good fighter. I like the pop he brings and the unexpected striking aspect. Vera is on a four-fight losing streak while Jourdain is on a three-fight winning streak. Jourdain will outwork Vera and should find the win.

Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf

This fight is going to be short and sweet. Steveson or bust. The UFC is building Steveson, and this is another stepping stone for him. The knockout power is apparent for Steveson. Sharaf is still looking for his first UFC win. Sharaf is coming off of two knockout losses. Steveson should make quick work of this fight, and I expect a knockout.

Iwo Baraniewski vs Alonzo Menifield

This is another fun fight. Baraniewski is coming off of three first-round win knockouts. The power is obviously there, and he will push the pace. Baraniewski brings it in the first minute of this fight. Menifield is coming off a win. Menifield has fought the better competition than Baraniewski. The knockout power is also there for him. This will be a fun scrap on the feet, and we will see who has the better hands. Baraniewski should find the knockout.

Patricio Pitbull vs Doo Ho Choi

Pitbull is coming off a loss and is aging. The years are catching up to Pitbull, honestly. The power is always last to go, of course. Choi is coming off of three wins in a row. Choi has looked great. The knockouts are lining up for Choi. The striking is nice for Choi, and I like him here in this matchup. Choi can find the knockout here.

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy

The Co-Main Event! Arman is on a long winning streak and has looked fantastic. The wrestling and grappling are on point for him. Ruffy is coming off of back-to-back knockout wins. The striking is quick and is wild at times. Arman will look to shoot on Ruffy as quickly as possible. The grappling defense isn't there for Ruffy, and Arman can rinse and repeat. Arman knows the game plan he needs here. Arman can find the finish.

Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja

The rematch! Big fight! The Main Event! Van is the champion and is coming off a win against Tatsuro Taira. He defended the belt last fight. Pantoja is coming off an injury after he lost the belt to Van in December 2025. Van is mainly a boxer and has fluid striking. Pantoja will look to the grappling and shoot takedowns. Pantoja has the clear advantage on the ground in this matchup. AND NEW! Pantoja is my pick.