The UFC heads to Los Angeles, California, for its next pay-per-view headlined by the rematch of Van Vs. Pantoja. The two best flyweights in the promotion get to settle things after an abrupt finish to the first fight due to an injury.
Other main-card standouts include Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, top lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy, and a featherweight brawl between two aggressive strikers. Here is who will emerge victorious with their hand raised for UFC 331:
Iwo “Rudy” Baraniewski (9-0) Vs. Alonzo “Atomic” Menfield (18-6-1), 3 Rounds At Light Heavyweight
The Polish fighter Baraniewski has won all of his fights in the UFC by first-round knockout and will be looking to do the same here. “Rudy” is a ruthless striker with powerful leg kicks and combinations that his opponents cannot withstand.
Menifield will provide a tough test, as a veteran with “Atomic” knockout power of his own. His best path to victory would be to include clinch work and wrestling to make it an ugly, grinding fight.
Baraniewski will be pushed past the first round, but ultimately gets a stoppage win by landing something big. Prediction: Baraniewski By Second-round TKO
Gable Steveson (4-0) Vs. Sean “The Smoke” Sharaf (4-2), 3 Rounds At Heavyweight
The UFC has booked this fight as a showcase for Steveson, the next rising heavyweight prospect. Steveson has shown punching power in his young MMA career, but he will be looking to utilize elite wrestling ability to control the fight on the mat.
Sharaf is not impressed by the hype surrounding Steveson and feels he will be a tough test due to his unique background. “The Smoke” will have a reach and size advantage over his adversary and will need to use it to keep the fight standing and to keep Steveson on the end of his attacks.
Steveson will prove to be too much as he gets the fight to the ground and wins by ground-and-pound stoppage in dominant fashion. Prediction: Steveson By First-Round TKO
Patricio Pitbull (37-9) Vs. “The Korean Superboy” Doo Ho Choi (17-4-1), 3 Rounds At Featherweight
This fight will provide plenty of fireworks. Pitbull is a former champion in different promotions and brings experience fighting elite competition. He will need to control the pace of the fight to avoid getting into risky striking exchanges. If Pitbull can methodically pick his shots and capitalize on his opponent’s aggression, it will bode well for him to win.
It won’t come easy, as Choi is a powerful striker who throws lots of volume that can overwhelm opponents. “The Korean Super Boy” has the height and reach advantage that can make it hard for Pitbull to get in a rhythm and keep him on the defensive.
Pitbull may be the more complete MMA fighter, but Choi has the equalizer in his tremendous punching power. The combinations and frantic pace Choi will push should allow him to land big damage over three rounds to get the win. Prediction: Choi By Unanimous Decision
