The UFC flyweight title is on the line at UFC 331 Saturday when Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja face off in a rematch.
Pantoja (30-6) injured himself when fighting Van (17-2), ending his reign. It was Van’s fourth win of 2025, earning the 24-year-old Fighter of the Year honors.
Also on the card, Arman Tsarukyan finally returns to action inside the octagon against the dangerous Mauricio Ruffy.
The Sporting News breaks down everything you need to know to bet on the UFC 331 main card, including odds for each fight, the most popular betting markets and best bets. Plus, new users can bet $5 on UFC 331 and get $200 in Bonus Bets instantly at DraftKings Sportsbook.
MORE: Breaking down the best UFC betting sites
How to bet on UFC 331
Betting on the UFC 331 fight card is quite simple. First you need to choose a sportsbook to bet with. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, theScore Bet and Fanatics all offer odds on the entire UFC 331 fight card.
1. Choose your sportsbook and claim your welcome bonus
Once you choose your sportsbook, you can claim a welcome bonus. First, you must sign up and enter all of your verification information such as your name, address, social security number and other details. Once your account is confirmed you can claim a welcome bonus from one of these sportsbooks below.
2. Learn the main MMA bet types
There are a variety of ways to bet on MMA, including several popular bet types. Moneylines allow users to pick an outright winner and profit if their fighter comes out victorious. Total round betting provides betters with the opportunity to call their own shot on how many round a fight will last. Prop betting has all the niche markets that an MMA bettor could ask for. To learn more about the variety of bet types, check out our full guide below.
3. Research
Successful MMA betting requires analyzing fighter statistics like strikes and takedowns, recent form, style matchups and training camps to identify value in odds. Key factors include researching a fighter’s opponent quality, whether or not ring rust (long layoffs) plays a factor and overinflated lines.
4. Place your bet
Pick the fighter that you like to win or the method of victory you like that fighter to win by, and enjoy the fights.
MORE: Beginner’s guide to parlay betting
Where to bet on UFC 331
If you’re looking to get in on the betting action for UFC 331 but are new to some of the best sportsbooks in your area, take advantage of their new user promos and welcome bonuses.
MORE: Best sportsbook promos and betting app bonuses
UFC 331 odds and best bets
The following odds are all courtesy of the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Joshua Van (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 for the UFC flyweight title
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Joshua Van | -5.5 (+105) | O 4.5 (+140) | -135 |
| Alexandre Pantoja | +5.5 (-140) | U 4.5 (-180) | +114 |
Van vs. Pantoja 2 prediction and best bet
The hope is that the rematch, about a year in the making, doesn’t disappoint. Given the talent in the octagon, it shouldn’t.
Van lands 8.43 significant strikes per minute. He landed 125 against Bruno Silva, 204 against Brandon Royval, and 131 against Tatsuro Taira. “The Fearless” averages 0.82 takedowns landed per 15 minutes.
Pantoja lands 4.38 significant strikes. He also averages 2.79 takedowns landed. When champion, Pantoja cut down everyone in his path.
When they fought in December, Pantoja landed six significant strikes before suffering an arm injury that stopped the fight before it could even begin. It left the fighters and fans watching live and at home disappointed. Now, they look to leave no doubt.
Will ring rust play a factor? Given time to heal, Pantoja has been training as hard as he can for the fight. His power clearly hasn’t gone away. That may be an issue for Van. Van absorbs 5.82 significant strikes landed per 15 minutes, but can he survive an expected onslaught?
Van is a gifted fighter, but Pantoja is out to prove a point. The former champion may hold gold again when it’s all said and done.
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Arman Tsarukyan | -13.5 (-170) | O 3.5 (+154) | -310 |
| Mauricio Ruffy | +13.5 (+125) | U 3.5 (-200) | +250 |
Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy prediction and best bet
Tsarukyan is on a five-fight win streak, his last bout a year ago. He lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute and averages 3.26 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Tsarukyan landed 15 takedowns in his last five fights. Ruffy is also dangerous, landing 4.19 significant strikes. He’s taken out King Green, Rafael Fiziev, and Michael Chandler.
Tsarukyan is the one true contender for the lightweight title. However, he hasn’t gotten on the good side of the UFC. So, while he’s been inactive in the octagon, he’s been side questing, competing for RAF and appearing wherever asked. He hasn’t taken a break. Will that affect his skills?
It’s not far-fetched to think that Ruffy can win this fight, given how he’s the more active fighter in the octagon. Don’t forget, anything can happen in the cage. However, Ruffy didn’t fare well on the ground against Benoit Saint-Denis, and the same could happen here. Tsarukyan clearly has enough cardio to go all night, but the fight should last less than what’s expected.
Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire vs. Dooho Choi (Featherweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Patricio Freire | +5.5 (+100) | O 2.5 (-115) | +225 |
| Dooho Choi | -5.5 (-135) | U 2.5 (-115) | -278 |
Freire vs. Choi prediction and best bet
Freire landed only 17 significant strikes in his UFC debut against Yair Rodriguez. The former Bellator champion has 12 knockout wins and 12 submission wins, recently losing to Aaron Pico, another former Bellator star. In the octagon, “Pitbull” lands 2.77 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.26 takedowns landed per 15 minutes.
Choi lands 5.00 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.26 takedowns. He’s on a three-fight win streak since 2024, following a run where (on a layoff) he didn’t win a fight since 2016.
Fight fans who may have never seen Freire in his prime may have already lost hope. However, he’s still as dangerous as they come. Choi has fought infrequently, which could give Freire an edge.
Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf (Heavyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Gable Steveson | -3.5 (+1600) | O 1.5 (+400) | -2100 |
| Sean Sharaf | +3.5 (+650) | U 1.5 (-620) | +1100 |
Steveson vs. Sharaf prediction and best bet
A 2020 Olympic gold medalist, Steveson is one of the most decorated wrestlers out there. He burst onto the MMA scene and has four knockout wins. In his UFC debut, Steveson landed 41 significant strikes. Sharaf is coming off two straight losses. He lands 7.41 significant strikes per minute.
Unless there’s a massive upset, this is another showcase fight for Steveson, who should entertain with a devastating knockout finish that will be shown on highlights for years to come.
Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski (Light Heavyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Alonzo Menifield | +7.5 (+155) | O 1.5 (+195) | +205 |
| Iwo Baraniewski | -7.5 (-210) | U 1.5 (-260) | -250 |
Menifield vs. Baraniewski prediction and best bet
Menifield lands 3.84 significant strikes per minute and averages 0.48 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Baraniewski is on a four-fight win streak, with all those wins via knockout. He lands 11.35 significant strikes, with all his bouts not making it out of the first round.
The level of competition Menifield has recently faced and beaten doesn’t scream confidence. Baraniewski is moving up the ladder, and the UFC is doing whatever to give him a boost. He should have another knockout win on his resume following this fight.
UFC 331 prelims and full card
Main Card
- Joshua Van (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 for the UFC flyweight title
- Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy; Lightweights
- Patrício Freire vs. Dooho Choi; Featherweights
- Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf; Heavyweights
- Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski; Light Heavyweights
Prelims
- Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain; Bantamweights
- Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne; Heavyweights
- Michael Aswell Jr. vs. JooSang Yoo; Featherweights
- Ryan Gandra vs. Osman Diaz; Middleweights
Early Prelims
- Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Ferreira; Middleweights
- Casey O’Neill vs. Eduarda Moura; Flyweights
- Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito; Featherweights
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