UFC 331 Predictions, Picks & Betting Odds ft. Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
UFC 331 is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The event will feature a UFC Flyweight title fight in the Main Event between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja. Below, I have my two best bets for UFC 331, both of which will include Main Card fights.
In addition to my best bets for this event, be sure to check out all of our UFC 331 predictions
UFC 331 Best Bet: Joshua Van ML over Alexandre Pantoja (-135)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing. Playable to -150.
The Main Event at UFC 331 will see Joshua Van take on Alexandre Pantoja. This will be a fight in the UFC Flyweight Division and will also be for the UFC Flyweight Division title. Van enters this fight with an MMA record of 17-2 and 10-1 in the UFC. He averages 8.43 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 57%. Van absorbs 5.82 strikes and has a striking defense of 58%. His grappling is also decent, averaging 0.82 takedowns every 15 minutes. Van has a takedown accuracy of 61% and a takedown defense of 75%.
Pantoja enters this fight with an MMA record of 30-6 and 14-4 in the UFC. He averages 4.38 strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 50%. Pantoja absorbs 3.88 strikes and has a striking defense of 49%. His grappling is also solid, averaging 2.79 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.0 submission attempt during the same period. Pantoja has a takedown accuracy of 47% and a takedown defense of 69%.
Van is the slight favorite in this fight; however, he still looks to be the best betting option. Note that Van and Pantoja have fought previously for this same title. At the time, it was Pantoja who held the title, but in that fight, Van beat Pantoja by KO/TKO in the first round.
There is also the fact that Van has the significant edge in striking volume. Van’s grappling ability, on the other hand, is not as strong compared to Pantoja. Because of this, backing Van to win and defend his Flyweight title will be our best bet.
Check out our full Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja prediction
UFC 331 Best Bet: Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy - Fight to End by KO/TKO (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing. Playable to -120.
The Co-Main Event at UFC 331 will see Arman Tsarukyan take on Mauricio Ruffy. This will be a fight in the UFC Lightweight Division. Tsarukyan enters this fight with an MMA record of 23-3 and 10-2 in the UFC. He is averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 50%. Tsarukyan absorbs 1.80 strikes and has a striking defense of 54%. His grappling is just as strong, averaging 3.26 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 37% and a takedown defense of 75%.
Ruffy enters this fight with an MMA record of 14-2 and 6-1 in the UFC. He averages 4.19 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 57%. Ruffy absorbs 3.83 strikes and has a striking defense of 59%. He has not shown any grappling ability, but has a takedown defense of 86%.
Given that Tsarukyan is the heavy favorite, we will be looking at the method of victory. Ruffy has seen 6 of his 7 UFC fights end inside the distance, 5 of which have come by KO/TKO. Tsarukyan, on the other hand, has seen 5 of his 12 fights end inside the distance, and 4 of these have been by KO/TKO. Because of this, backing this fight to also end by KO/TKO will be our best bet.
Check out our full Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy prediction
