UFC in LA LA LAND: Pantoja gets Revenge Fight against Van at UFC 331

After a 10-card win streak, we take our first loss at UFC Noche.

There were plenty of letdown spots, and Edgar Chairez got outclassed by the veteran Tim Elliot. With a rough -3.075 Units showing on the night, we now sit at +15.21 Units heading into UFC 331.

UFC 331 is an absolutely stacked card featuring the highly-anticipated rematch between Jousha Van and Alexandre Pantoja. After suffering an injury in the first fight, Pantoja is hungry to prove that he is the rightful champion, while Van welcomes the challenge to prove he’s the undisputed champion. In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan returns to the UFC against the always-exciting Mauricio Ruffy.

With plenty of exciting fights, let’s take a look at the main card, and don’t forget to check back later in the week for our final best bets heading into UFC 331.

UFC 331 

Gable Steveson

1.05

11.00

Sean Sharaf

Gable Steveson brings a rare level of elite athleticism and world-class grappling to the heavyweight division. His explosive speed, positional dominance, and top-tier control make him a nightmare setup for anyone who struggles with takedown defense. While his striking game is still developing in MMA, his rapid level changes and smothering top game allow him to dictate where the fight takes place.

Sean Sharaf relies primarily on raw power, heavy hands, and a willingness to engage in chaotic, brawling exchanges. Pushing an aggressive, durable forward pressure, Sharaf looks to land devastating early power shots to pull opponents into slugfests. However, his reliance on early knockouts often leaves his gas tank vulnerable if forced to work defensively off his back. 

The stylistic clash heavily favors Steveson, whose pedigree should neutralize Sharaf’s wild early striking. Sharaf’s best chance lies in catching Steveson with a big right hand on the way in. Otherwise, Steveson should easily close the distance, secure early takedowns, and use heavy ground-and-pound to systematically wear down Sharaf.  

Alonzo Menifield

2.85

1.44

Iwo Baraniewski

Alonzo Menifield enters this light heavyweight matchup as a seasoned, explosive veteran with high-level power and refined counter-striking. Known for his physical strength and heavy hands, Menifield is most dangerous when he can control the center of the cage, work off his jab, and stall opponents in clinch scenarios to sap their energy. However, his tendency to get drawn into early firefights often exposes him to heavy counters against explosive dynamic strikers. 

Iwo Baraniewski is an undefeated Polish prospect who has stormed through his opposition with terrifying efficiency, securing first-round stoppages in every single one of his professional fights. A black belt in judo with high-level grappling credentials, Baraniewski rarely even needs to wrestle because his hand speed, leg kicks, and violent striking power flatten opponents almost instantly. The biggest unknown surrounding him remains his cardio and deep-water defense, as no opponent has ever managed to drag him past the first round.

Can Menifield survive the immediate storm that Baraniewski unleashes from the opening bell? Baraniewski will likely press forward aggressively, throwing fast combinations and heavy kicks to catch Menifield early. Menifield’s clearest path to victory is heavy clinch work against the fence to survive the initial five minutes and push Baraniewski into untested waters. Unless Menifield can successfully survive that early onslaught, Baraniewski’s raw speed and blitzing power make another quick first-round knockout the most probable outcome.  

Patricio Pitbull

3.20

1.37

Dooho Choi

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire brings legendary veteran experience, carrying elite, well-rounded skills and explosive power. The multi-division Bellator champion relies on sharp counter-striking, heavy right hands, and an opportunistic submission game. Pitbull excels at patient distance management, luring opponents into rushing forward so he can unleash crisp hook counters or transition seamlessly into takedown attempts.

Dooho Choi is a fan-favorite striker renowned for his laser-accurate right cross, fluid boxing combinations, and relentless chin. Choi pushes a high-volume, forward-marching pace, using sharp straight punches to slice through guards and set a frantic rhythm. However, his aggressive style and willingness to trade shots in phone-booth range frequently leave him vulnerable to heavy power counters when he overcommits.

The matchup presents a classic clash between Choi’s aggressive output and Pitbull’s counter-striking precision. If Choi can keep Pitbull backed against the fence with long jabs and avoid walking into singular explosive counters, his volume could pull him ahead on the scorecards. However, Pitbull’s timing, fight IQ, and ability to blend heavy power hooks with timely takedowns make him primed to exploit Choi’s defensive openings, likely setting up a decisive counter-knockout or submission victory.   

Arman Tsarukyan

1.34

3.35

Mauricio Ruffy

Arman Tsarukyan enters this lightweight matchup as one of the most elite, complete mixed martial artists in the world, combining dominant, relentless chain-wrestling with dynamic, explosive kickboxing. His ability to blend level changes with heavy power kicks and unrelenting top control makes him a nightmare for almost anyone in the division. Tsarukyan’s championship-level cardio and high-paced pressure allow him to smother strikers, drag them to the canvas, and force grueling ground-and-pound scrambles.

Tsarukyan vs. Hooker: Арман Царукян vs Дэн Хукер | Полный бой

Mauricio Ruffy is a sharp, technical striker who possesses precise, sniper-like knockout power and clean distance management. Renowned for his patient, wide stance and precise counters, Ruffy excels at picking opponents apart from the outside and catching aggressors on the way in. However, his style relies heavily on keeping the fight on the feet, leaving his greatest test in his ability to defend against elite, suffocating wrestlers.

This matchup presents a classic striker-versus-grappler dynamic where spatial control determines the outcome. Ruffy’s best route to victory relies on using his reach, fast straight right hands, and sharp footwork to keep Tsarukyan at distance and land a fight-ending counter during a takedown attempt. Otherwise, Tsarukyan’s superior wrestling pedigree, physical strength, and relentless top-game transitions should allow him to ground Ruffy early, wear down the Brazilian’s gas tank, and secure a submission or ground-and-pound stoppage victory.   

Joshua Van

1.76

2.10

Alexandre Pantoja

Joshua Van enters this flyweight title clash as the young champion who took the belt from Pantoja and has rapidly built an incredible win streak. Known for his relentless output, elite striking volume, and crisp boxing, Van operates with an overwhelming pace that pushes opponents into defensive survival mode. His blistering speed, sharp movement, and continuously improving defensive wrestling make him a constant threat on the feet for all five rounds.

Alexandre Pantoja brings elite championship experience, chaotic aggression, and lethal Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Known for pushing an uncompromising pace, Pantoja excels at dragging opponents into messy scrambles where he can snatch back-mount or lock up fight-ending submissions. While his wild brawling and high-risk style leave defensive openings on the feet, his iron chin and world-class grappling allow him to turn any exchange into a nightmare for his opponent. 

The rematch centers on whether Pantoja can turn the contest into a chaotic grappling war or if Van can keep the fight at range. Pantoja’s clearest route to victory involves closing the distance early, initiating scrambles, and putting Van’s mat defense to the ultimate test. However, if Van uses his superior footwork and rapid striking combinations to deny the takedowns, his volume and cardiovascular endurance should allow him to pull ahead on the feet and secure a clear decision or late-round stoppage. 

UFC 331 Best Bets

2025 Total Units Won: +29.97 Units

2026 Record: 72-84-1, +15.21 Units

(Coming soon…)

Keep it locked to SlotsFighter for the best bets on UFC cards, and don’t forget to follow SlotsFighter and SOOKY MMA on Instagram.