UFC 331 Full Card Predictions!

Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
Pick: Alexandre Pantoja

This rematch is much more interesting than the first result suggests. Joshua Van is fast, sharp, young, and dangerous in long striking exchanges, but the first fight ended in such a strange way that I do not think it really answered the main stylistic questions. Pantoja is still one of the most proven flyweights in UFC history, and in a full fight, his pressure, grappling transitions, back takes, and championship experience can completely change the rhythm.

Van’s best path is volume. If he can keep the fight at range, touch Pantoja with fast combinations, and avoid extended grappling exchanges, he can make Pantoja look slower in open space. The problem is that Pantoja is rarely just a clean-distance fighter. He crashes into clinches, forces scrambles, makes fights messy, and he is very good at turning one mistake into a dominant position.

For me, this is the key: Pantoja has more ways to win. He can steal rounds with pressure, he can create grappling moments, and he can make Van fight at a pace that is not comfortable for him. Van is dangerous, but Pantoja’s experience and complete MMA game are the reason I am siding with him in the rematch.

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy
Pick: Mauricio Ruffy

This is the upset pick, but it is not a random one. Tsarukyan is the more proven all-around fighter, especially with his wrestling, control, and physical pace. On paper, he has the cleaner route: close the distance, force Ruffy backward, mix in takedowns, and avoid giving Ruffy clean striking reads.

But Ruffy is not just a flashy striker. He is explosive, accurate, and dangerous in the exact moments where Tsarukyan has to enter. That makes this matchup very interesting, because Tsarukyan cannot just walk forward without consequence. If Ruffy defends the first layer of wrestling and punishes the entries with knees, uppercuts, and body shots, the fight can shift quickly.

Ruffy’s timing and finishing threat are the reason I like the underdog side here. Tsarukyan can absolutely win minutes with wrestling, but Ruffy has the kind of speed and damage that can flip the fight in one exchange. I am taking Ruffy to create the cleaner, more dangerous moments.

Patricio Freire vs Doo Ho Choi
Pick: Patricio Freire

Doo Ho Choi is dangerous when he gets a clean striking fight, but Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is the more experienced and more layered fighter. He understands timing, rhythm changes, and when to slow a fight down. If he avoids a wild brawl, his fight IQ and counter-striking should be enough to control the key moments.

Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski
Pick: Iwo Baraniewski

Menifield always carries serious power, especially early, but Baraniewski looks like the fresher and more composed side. If he stays disciplined in the first round and does not give Menifield a clean pocket exchange, he can start taking over with movement, volume, and better minute-winning work.

Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf
Pick: Gable Steveson

Steveson’s wrestling base is the clear deciding factor. Sharaf may have moments on the feet, but once Gable closes distance, he should be able to dictate where the fight takes place. At this stage, that level of grappling is a huge problem for most heavyweights.

Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain
Pick: Charles Jourdain

Vera is tough, experienced, and dangerous late, but Jourdain should be the more active fighter. His movement, shot selection, and ability to build combinations can win rounds if he does not slow down into Vera’s type of fight. I like Jourdain by pace and cleaner activity.

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne
Pick: Tai Tuivasa

Despaigne has size and danger, but Tuivasa has the MMA experience edge. If Tai survives the early long-range attacks, he can make this ugly in the pocket and force Despaigne into a fight he is less comfortable in. Tuivasa is the pick because of experience, durability, and chaos control.

Michael Aswell Jr. vs Joo Sang Yoo
Pick: Joo Sang Yoo

Yoo looks like the cleaner technical side. Aswell can bring pressure, but Yoo’s accuracy, timing, and composure should matter over three rounds. If he keeps his defense tight and does not get dragged into wild exchanges, he can control the fight.

Ryan Gandra vs Ozzy Diaz
Pick: Ryan Gandra

Gandra is the more stable pick. Diaz is dangerous when the fight gets loose, but Gandra should be able to manage the pace better and win the more controlled phases. I like Gandra to edge the cleaner work.

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira
Pick: Edmen Shahbazyan

Ferreira has real power, but Shahbazyan is the more technical striker when he stays patient. The key is discipline. If Edmen avoids reckless exchanges and works behind clean entries, he has the tools to beat Ferreira to the shot and control the striking.

Casey O’Neill vs Eduarda Moura
Pick: Casey O’Neill

O’Neill’s pace and cardio can be the difference. Moura is physical, but Casey is difficult to slow down when she gets into rhythm. If she keeps the fight moving and avoids getting stuck in heavy grappling control, her activity can win rounds.

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito
Pick: Joanderson Brito

Chikadze is dangerous at kicking range, but Brito’s pressure is a bad stylistic look for him. Brito can close distance, make the fight physical, and force uncomfortable exchanges. If he does not stay outside too long, I like Brito to break the rhythm and take over.

Strongest Picks:
Freire win
Iwo Baraniewski Win Ko/Tko
Charles Jourdain win