UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 - Odds, Predictions, Picks

A flyweight title bout rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja headlines UFC 331 this Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles. It’s a chance for Pantoja to get revenge over Van after he lost the belt last December due to a dislocated elbow.

• Van is currently on a seven-fight win streak, and will be hoping to successfully defend the UFC Flyweight Championship belt for the second successive time

• Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy square off for an eliminator lightweight bout in the co-main event

It’s set to be an action-packed UFC event in LA this weekend. We’ve examined each fight in close detail and shared our best bets for you below.

UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 - Odds

Odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. Sign up for a FanDuel account and claim your bonus: Bet $5, Get $350 in Bonus Bets. For a full breakdown of the offer, check out our FanDuel Promo Code review.

If you are in a state where FanDuel is not yet legal, we recommend trying Kalshi, one of the best prediction markets in the US. Use Kalshi promo code WSN to sign up, trade $25, and get $25 bonus.

UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 - Picks & Predictions

Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja - Flyweight Title Bout

• Our pick: Joshua Van -134 at FanDuel

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy - Lightweight Division

• Our pick: Arman Tsarukyan by Points (+400) at FanDuel

Patricio Pitbull vs. Dooho Choi - Featherweight Division

• Our pick: Dooho Choi by KO/TKO (+160) at FanDuel

Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf - Heavyweight Division

• Our pick: Gable Steveson KO/TKO & Round 1 (-210) at FanDuel

Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski - Light Heavyweight Division

• Our pick: Iwo Baraniewski by KO/TKO (-135) at FanDuel

Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja - Flyweight Title Bout

Van sealed the UFC Flyweight Championship belt in December 2025 after Pantoja suffered a tough elbow injury just 26 seconds into the fight, but the latter does not see it as a genuine defeat. 

The 36-year-old veteran was on an impressive eight-fight win streak prior to the TKO loss to Van, successfully defending his title four times. Nevertheless, it’s Van who’s the -134 favorite with FanDuel for the rematch.

“The Fearless” certainly has youth on his side, aged just 24-years-old, and boasts an incredible resume for someone as youthful as he is. The Myanmar-born fighter has suffered just one defeat since entering the UFC in June 2023, possessing a record of 10-1 with the promotion. Van defended his title for the first time back in May as he beat Tatsuro Taira via TKO.

Victories over the likes of Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura, and Kai Kara-France prove just how skillful Pantoja is. He’ll be chomping at the bit to reclaim the Flyweight belt here, and the best way to do so is to lean on his grappling to combat Van’s striking.

Pantoja has experience on his side to win this bout, but Van’s speed and striking volume is incredibly dangerous. The oddsmakers have this down as a close fight, and it’s easy to see why. 

Bet $5 Daily at FanDuel, Get $350 in Bonus Bets

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy - Lightweight Division

Saturday’s co-main event is an intriguing bout that has serious implications in the lightweight division, as Tsarukyan and Ruffy go head-to-head to book their spot against current champ Justin Gaethje. Tsarukyan is listed as the -325 favorite with FanDuel.

Armenian fighter Tsarukyan will have felt aggrieved not to have gotten the interim title shot, as Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett got to square off for their chance to face former champ Ilia Topuria. Fuelled by the motivation to prove his doubters wrong, particularly Dana White, the 29-year-old can solidify his credentials by defeating Ruffy in LA.

Brazilian Ruffy has earned back-to-back wins heading into this bout, securing early stoppages against Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler. He has an impressive 86% takedown defense to try and quell his opponent’s superior wrestling skills, but is yet to face someone like Tsarukyan on the mat.

Tsarukyan has the experience, Octagon control, and elite wrestling to own this fight. That said, Ruffy could cause a few surprises, especially with his power that could catch his opponent early.

Score Daily $50 in Bonus Bets for 7 Days at FanDuel

Patricio Pitbull vs. Dooho Choi - Featherweight Division

Two veterans will meet in the Octagon this weekend, as Patricio Pitbull and Dooho Choi do battle in a featherweight bout. This one is expected to be a boxing contest between two accurate strikers. It’s Choi who is currently listed as the -290 favorite with FanDuel.

Pitbull has just one win with the promotion since entering the UFC last April, going 1-2, with his sole triumph coming against Dan Ige. The Brazilian predominantly plied his trade with Bellator, but now aged 39, it’s uncertain how much he’s got left in him.

Choi joined the UFC all the way back in 2014, and is currently on a four-fight unbeaten streak. He ended a 17-month break back in May, securing a second-round stoppage against Daniel Santos.

“The Korean Superboy” is expected to have the edge in the stand-up game in this bout, while he also has height and reach advantages. It makes sense why he’s considered the favorite for this one and it’s hard to look past him.

Bet $5 at FanDuel and Lock in Your $350 Bonus

Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf - Heavyweight Division

Gable Steveson is a hot prospect entering his second UFC fight against Sean Sharaf. The Olympic gold medal wrestler is the resounding -2200 favorite with FanDuel to secure the win in this heavyweight bout.

Steveson made his promotional debut in July, securing a first-round knockout win over Elisha Ellison at UFC 329. Sharaf has fought just twice with the UFC, losing both bouts against Junior Tafa and Steven Asplund.

It would be quite the shock if “The Smoke” is to cause an upset in this bout, but there’s a small chance he can catch his opponent with a big shot. Steveson looks set for a fast ascension up the heavyweight rankings if he can continue to impress, so he’ll want to end this one quickly.

Join FanDuel and Claim a $50 Daily Bonus

Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski - Light Heavyweight Division

The UFC 331 main card begins with a light heavyweight clash between Alonzo Menifield and Iwo Baraniewski. The former has a positive 3-1 recent record, defeating Zhang Mingyang in the first round in his last bout. However, it’s the undefeated Baraniewski who is the -250 favorite with FanDuel.

Polish fighter Baraniewski has finished all nine of his opponents across his pro career thus far, all inside the first round to boot. That power and explosiveness is why he’s the favorite to win this bout, but Menifield is an experienced fighter who has recently proven he still has knockout ability himself.

Menifield also has the reach advantage so will look to prolong this fight as long as possible. If he can get past the first round, it will be interesting to see how Baraniewski fares in uncharted territory.

Bet $5 and Grab $50 Daily in Bonus Bets at FanDuel

How to Watch UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2

• Location: Crypto,com Arena, Los Angeles, California, United States

• When: Saturday, September 19

• Time: 9:00 PM ET

• How: Paramount+