UFC 331 Odds, Picks, and Best Prop Bets for Van vs. Pantoja 2

One of the biggest grudge matches of 2026 is going down this Saturday night live from Los Angeles, California, as UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 takes centre stage at the Crypto.com Arena. Set for a marquee main event, the undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship is on the line as Joshua Van makes his second title defence against former Champion Alexandre Pantoja. With non-stop action scheduled up and down this can’t-miss card, the only way the action could get any better is by placing a bet on the latest UFC odds.

Below, we’ve highlighted our expert UFC 331 picks and predictions, along with the UFC betting sites offering the best value for each pick, so you can maximize your winning potential on each main-card fight scheduled this weekend. Don’t wait, lock in your picks, come out swinging, and let’s knock out the oddsmakers with our UFC 331 odds, picks, and best prop bets for Pantoja vs. Van 2.

• Iwo Baraniewski to Win by KO/TKO (-120)
• Gable Steveson to Win by KO/TKO (-400)
• Doo Ho Choi to Win by DEC (+200)
• Arman Tsarukyan to Win by SUB (+235)
• Joshua Van to Win by KO/TKO (+180)

Iwo Baraniewski vs. Alonzo Menifield

Best Odds on Baraniewski to Win: -245 (bet365)
Best Odds on Menifield to Win: +200 (Sports Interaction)

Kicking off the main card of UFC 331 with a bang, don’t blink or you might just miss the finish between Iwo Baraniewski and “Atomic” Alonzo Menifield. Never one to shy away from a firefight, Menifield may have met his match as he becomes the latest victim of Baraniewski’s Polish punching power.

Entering his 10th pro MMA bout with an undefeated 9-0 record, Baraniewski has logged 3:42 of Octagon time over his first three UFC fights, plus his contract-winning Dana White Contender Series bout. While Menifield has secured five knockouts to his own credit over his 11 UFC victories, he’s also seen his chin cracked four times, including a recent loss to Volkan Oezdemir in under two minutes. In what will come down to who lands first and can weather the oncoming storm in return, Menifield lacks the speed and durability to go toe-to-toe with Baraniewski.

With his trend of first-round knockouts showing no signs of ending, bank on Baraniewski to get the crowd on their feet as he adds another highlight-reel finish to his resume, and net an easy boost to your bankroll as you begin your UFC 331 betting experience.

Prediction: Baraniewski to Win by KO/TKO/DQ (-120 @ BET99)

Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf

Best Odds on Steveson to Win: -1600 (BetVictor)
Best Odds on Sharaf to Win: +1050 (BET99)

Set for a massive opportunity to continue building his stock as a rising star in the UFC heavyweight division, Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler Gable Steveson will look to remain undefeated as he takes on Sean “The Smoke” Sharaf. In a glorified squash match, this bout has purely been scheduled in order to improve the resume of Steveson as the UFC dump their eggs into his basket.

With no disrespect to Sharaf, he’s simply being sent out as a lamb to the slaughter. While he has an edge in size and MMA experience, he’s done nothing to impress the masses in his two UFC bouts, taking back-to-back second-round knockout losses. Taking on a granite-chinned, elite wrestler who’s proven he has one-punch knockout power, expect this one to be over in a hurry, with Sharaf being sent to the canvas once again as Steveson boosts his stock with another knockout win.

Holding an implied probability of victory of 95% at most sportsbooks, Steveson is as close to a sure thing as you can get in the fight business. While his moneyline odds should be avoided at all costs, Steveson to win by KO/TKO still has a bit of value if you’re willing to pony up a few extra units on the massive favourite.

Prediction: Steveson to Win by KO/TKO/DQ (-400 @ ToonieBet)

Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi

Best Odds on Pitbull to Win: +225 (Sports Interaction)
Best Odds on Choi to Win: -270 (bet365)

In a low-key banger, expect a high-level mixed martial arts display as Patricio Pitbull takes on “The Korean Superboy” Doo Ho Choi. As two top featherweights are set to do battle, bank on the superior striker in Choi to take the win on the judges’ scorecards as he puts down the Pitbull.

Riding a four-fight unbeaten streak, including three straight knockout wins, Choi has seemingly gotten better with age. With a notable three-inch reach advantage, Choi can use his sensational boxing skill set to keep the ex-Bellator champion at bay, avoid grappling exchanges, and layer on damage over three rounds. While Choi has become a reputable finisher, Pitbull is one of the toughest 145-pound fighters on the UFC roster, having gone the distance with dangerous strikers Yair Rodrigues, Dan Ige, and Aaron Pico.

Set to earn his first UFC win by decision, bank on Choi to lead the dance from start to finish, besting Pitbull, and continuing his ascent up the featherweight rankings as he makes a strong push toward contention with another high-profile victory.

Prediction: Choi to Win by DEC (+200 @ BetVictor)

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy

Best Odds on Tsarukyan to Win: -320 (ToonieBet)
Best Odds on Ruffy to Win: +275 (Sports Interaction)

In a high-stakes co-main event in the UFC lightweight division, the next number-one contender for Justin Gaethje’s title may be decided as Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy. In a high-level clash of styles, look for the elite grappling ability of Tsarukyan to simply be too much for Ruffy to handle, as the perennial contender leaves no doubt who should be next in line for a title shot, securing a submission finish at UFC 331.

While there’s no doubt that Ruffy is one of the most exciting and dangerous fighters on the UFC roster, his strengths rely on the fight to remain standing. With four of his five UFC wins coming by knockout, the only time he has faced a top-ranked fighter with high-level grappling came in his lone loss under the UFC banner, as he was submitted with ease by Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Fight Night Paris in 2025.

Set to take on an even better grappler, who is more well-rounded than BSD on the feet, there really isn’t any pathway to victory for Ruffy except for landing a Hail Mary one-shot knockout. Expect Tsarukyan to showcase the superb wrestling ability that’s seen him find immense success at RAF, bringing the fight to the mat, and locking in a highlight reel submission within the first two rounds of the bout.

At a juicy +235, this is the top moneymaking prop bet for UFC 331 and is sure to send your bankroll skyrocketing. Don’t wait, hammer Tsarukyan to cement himself as the next contender for lightweight gold, defeating Ruffy by submission.

Prediction: Tsarukyan to Win by SUB (+235 @ BET99)

Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja

Best Odds on Van to Win: -130 (bet365)
Best Odds on Pantoja to Win: +110 (ToonieBet)

In the main event of UFC 331, we’ve got a highly anticipated world title rematch as reigning champ Joshua “The Fearless” Van looks to prove his first victory was no fluke as he takes on all-time great Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja. After a freak injury just 30 seconds into their first world title fight put an end to the lengthy reign of Pantoja, expect for all doubt to be put to bed as Van sends Pantoja to the dreamworld, earning a knockout victory in the main event.

Possessing some of the slickest, fastest, and most damaging boxing in the UFC, at just 24 years old, Van has already cemented himself as a true champion in the flyweight division. With a bottomless gas tank, Van applies unrelenting pressure, letting his hands go as he wears opponents down over the course of the bout. Once the Championship rounds begin, this is where he truly shines, exploding with output and generating an unmatchable output on the feet that has sent several top 125-pound fighters crashing to the canvas.

A true testament to how this fight will play out comes from Van’s first title defence against Tasturo Taira, a bout that many thought he’d be outgrappled and held on the ground. Instead, Van stuffed 13 of 21 takedown attempts and outstruck Taira 131 to 55 in significant strikes, ultimately earning a devastating fifth-round knockout win for The Fearless.

Taking on Pantoja, who has a similar approach to Taira, but in an older, smaller frame. Additionally, in his previous title bouts, while Pantoja was able to get the win, in many of them he narrowly escaped with the title, as he was rocked late in fights due to his at-times sloppy stand-up, leaving his hands low due to his suspect gas tank.

All of Pantoja’s biggest weaknesses play directly into Van’s strengths, positioning the young phenom to silence any doubt about his validity as Champion. Back Van to notch his second successful title defence, knocking out Pantoja in the fourth or fifth round of the fight, and capping off UFC 331 with a bang as the Pride of Myanmar continues what could be a dominant title reign.

Prediction: Van to Win by KO/TKO/DQ (+180 @ BET99)