UFC 331 — Full Card Recap

Our highest-conviction play delivered. Pantoja found early grappling success and made Van work, but the champion adjusted as the fight progressed — his takedown defence improved, his speed took over, and his boxing combinations became the clearest and most consistent offence in the fight.

By the championship rounds Van was landing the cleaner shots and controlling where the fight took place. He finished stronger and finally removed every question created by the freak injury that ended their first meeting.

Tsarukyan spent the opening round making Ruffy think about the takedown. That wrestling threat forced Ruffy to divide his attention, and Arman used it to create an opening on the feet.

With only seconds left in the round, Tsarukyan landed a vicious elbow from the clinch that put Ruffy out.

A major miss. Pitbull landed a hard right hand that badly hurt Choi. Choi turned away trying to escape and Pitbull immediately attacked with follow-up punches to force the stoppage.

We placed too much weight on Choi's three consecutive TKO victories and not enough on what Pitbull still brings: elite experience, sharp timing and legitimate finishing power.

The most important non-bet on the card. Sharaf charged forward immediately and landed a massive left hand before Steveson could establish his wrestling. The Olympic gold medalist was knocked out in 12 seconds in one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history.

We said Steveson was likely the right side but that −5000 was an indefensible moneyline price. That part of the analysis was completely correct. The fight prediction was completely wrong.

Baraniewski started well and hurt Menifield early, but couldn't maintain control as the fight became more physical.

Menifield dragged the unbeaten prospect into an exhausting battle. Despite a severe thumb injury he kept fighting and did enough over the final two rounds to take two of the three cards.

The most expensive loss on the card. Vera looked far more aggressive and dangerous than he had through his four-fight losing streak — he repeatedly hurt Jourdain, stayed composed and kept applying pressure.

Vera dropped him again in the third and Jourdain told the referee he couldn't continue.

The dart didn't cash, but the fight validated rejecting Despaigne's −700 price. Tuivasa arrived on a seven-fight skid priced like he had no chance, and instead the fight was close enough that one judge scored it for him.

Despaigne took two cards, but this was nowhere near the mismatch the line suggested.

Another close decision against us, and the wager still deserves criticism. Aswell matched Yoo's pace, output and effectiveness closely enough to earn two cards. Yoo never established the clear advantage a −250 price requires.

Gandra did exactly what a −600 favourite is supposed to do — overwhelmed Diaz with punches, established superiority immediately and got the stoppage early.

One of the best wagers on the card. Shahbazyan respected Ferreira's power, managed the dangerous moments and stayed disciplined all three rounds, producing the cleaner work without falling into the chaotic fight that's hurt him before.

O'Neill never let this develop into a close fight. She found the armbar in the opening round and finished Moura before the stylistic battle the odds suggested could materialise.

Brito wasted no time imposing his physical advantages — pressured Chikadze, put him down and finished with ground-and-pound before the two-minute mark.