UFC 331 Prelims Card Picks & Predictions (2026)
The UFC is headed to Los Angeles, California, for UFC 331 with an exciting rematch in the flyweight division. Flyweight champion Joshua Van is facing Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch, with Pantoja looking to regain his strap after suffering an injury in the first 30 seconds of their first bout. The whole card looks exciting, but I have two underdogs that I love on the prelims. The prelims begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, while the main card starts at 9:00 p.m. ET, all on Paramount+. Below are my top UFC 331 prelims card picks.
Watch big title fights on DAZN>>
UFC 331 Prelims Card Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Edmen Shahbazyan (-180) vs. Brunno Ferreira (+150)
Edmen Shahbazyan and Brunno Ferreira are squaring off in the third fight of the night. These middleweights have a lot of experience in the UFC and have fought quality opponents lately. This is an exciting matchup, but their styles may clash.
Shahbazyan is a technical striker who likes to fight at range. He lands 4.06 significant strikes and absorbs 3.87 significant strikes per minute. He does wrestle a little bit, but does not always show it, and has not landed a takedown since March 2024.
Ferreira is a pressure fighter who has a lot of power. He hits very hard and has three knockout victories in the UFC. Ferreira has lost two consecutive fights, but against really solid competition. He lost to Ikram Aliskerov in June and to Gregory Rodrigues by knockout in a rematch, after Ferreira had won the first by knockout in 2023.
Shahbazyan has not fought the same level of competition lately. Brendan Allen won a unanimous decision in his last fight, his best win in years. He beat Andre Muniz, Andre Petroski and Dylan Budka before that. Ferreira has shown signs of improvement in his recent bouts, despite losing to better competition. He is mispriced in this matchup and can win this fight via a swarming, pressure-style knockout.
Bet: Brunno Ferreira Moneyline (+150)
Marlon Vera (+180) vs. Charles Jourdain (-218)
Marlon "Chito" Vera has struggled lately, but he is fighting some of the best bantamweights in the world. He lost to David Martinez, now ranked seventh, via unanimous decision in February. He lost to Aiemann Zahabi, now ranked 13th, via split decision in October 2025. Vera lost to Deiveson Figueiredo (ranked 11th) and Sean O'Malley (ranked third) in 2024. Yes, he is on a four-fight losing streak, but it is not as bad as it seems.
Charles "Air" Jourdain is riding a three-fight winning streak after moving down to bantamweight. He is 18-8-1 as a professional, mostly in the featherweight division. He beat Kyler Phillips by unanimous decision in April and won by submission (guillotine choke) over Davey Grant and Victory Henry in his two prior bouts.
Vera is always a slow starter and finds his timing in the second and third rounds. This is a much easier matchup for Vera, and one he can win. Jourdain has a nice guillotine, but is not a great wrestler. He gets hit a lot, especially with straight punches. Vera is great at fighting behind his jab and has seven knockouts in the UFC.
Jourdain is inconsistent and will not be the bigger fighter in this matchup. He has used his size to his advantage in his first three bantamweight bouts, but Vera actually has a one-inch reach advantage. Jourdain makes many mistakes and is a chaotic fighter. Vera thrives in chaos.
Vera's recent losses have him underpriced in this matchup, and he offers a lot of value as an underdog. This is much closer to a 50/50 matchup, and Vera has higher-level competition and experience. The 33-year-old Vera still has something left in the tank, despite entering on a losing streak.
Bet: Marlon Vera Moneyline (+180)