Arman “Ahalkalak” Tsarukyan (23-3) Vs. Mauricio Ruffy (14-2), 5 Rounds At Lightweight
The co-main event of the pay-per-view pits two top-10 contenders at lightweight. Tsarukyan possesses strong grappling and will look to drag Ruffy down to utilize his advantage on the ground. The threat of the grappling can open up the striking for Tsarukyan to close the distance to secure takedowns. It will be key for him to stay inside kicking range to clinch and wear down his opponent over the five rounds.
Ruffy is a dynamic kickboxer with smooth movement and dangerous striking. His path to victory lies in keeping the fight standing and exchanging at a distance where he can use his rangy attacks. Ruffy must also make Tsarukyan pay for any failed takedown attempts with damage to slow down his opponent’s pursuit.
The fight will be competitive early on when both fighters are fresh and fighting at full strength. The five rounds give Tsarukyan plenty of chances to repeatedly force grappling exchanges.
Ruffy will show his improved defense on the ground to survive early, but Tsarukyan’s relentless wrestling will be the difference in controlling the fight and securing a late-round submission. Prediction: Tsarukyan by 5th-round submission
Champion Joshua “The Fearless” Van (17-2) Vs. Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja (30-6), 5 Rounds For The UFC 331 Flyweight Championship
The main event of the evening is a much-anticipated rematch of the first encounter, which ended 26 seconds in as Pantoja suffered an injury. Plenty of questions surrounded Van’s legitimacy as champion due to the circumstances, but he proved the doubters wrong with his first title defense in the co-main event of UFC 328.
Van is very athletic and has the speed and volume to create problems for Pantoja the longer the fight stays on the feet. “The Fearless” will look to live up to his nickname and push the pace for five rounds to inflict damage.
Before the injury, Pantoja was considered among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC and almost unbeatable at flyweight once he became champion. He is known for his durability, having never been knocked out in his career. That is a major key for the former flyweight king, as he may have to absorb some damage to close the distance and grapple.
Van needs to be ready to stuff takedowns and resist being trapped on the fencer will supply if he gets a hold of him. If it goes to the ground, Pantoja will have a major advantage as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with 12 career submission wins.
Van will have all the confidence and motivation to show he can be Pantoja fair and square, but he will be pushed to the brink in the toughest fight of his career. It is hard to know if Pantoja is fully recovered and still in peak form at 36. Van, as the younger fighter, will be able to maintain his pace for the full fight better and edge out the win. Prediction: Van retains the title by split decision
