UFC 331 opening odds highlight massive favorites

UFC 331 takes place September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and early oddsmakers have installed a tightly contested main event featuring flyweight champion Joshua Van against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch. Van (17-2) claimed the title last December in dramatic fashion, catching Pantoja's kick and dumping him to the canvas in under 30 seconds, resulting in a referee stoppage due to injury. The four-time title defender Pantoja has since recovered and earned his immediate rematch, with oddsmakers treating the bout as nearly a pick'em: Van opens at -115 while Pantoja sits at -105.

Van has remained active since capturing gold, defending his title with a final-round stoppage of Tatsuro Taira and extending his winning streak to seven fights dating back to his sole UFC loss in 2024. Despite holding championship status and recent momentum, the tight odds suggest Pantoja's pedigree and experience—including his four previous title defenses—keep this matchup competitive.

The co-main event features lightweight title contender Arman Tsarukyan, widely viewed as the division's most deserving challenger, facing Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan is a heavy -400 favorite, with Ruffy a +315 underdog taking his toughest assignment to date. In heavyweight action, Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist Robelis Despaigne returns for his second UFC stint as a -475 favorite against Tai Tuivasa, who finds himself at +365 odds while mired in a seven-fight losing streak.

Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson headlines the undercard with an immediate turnaround following a successful UFC debut last month. Facing Sean Sharaf—a fighter with two losses in the promotion—Steveson is the card's overwhelming favorite at -1800, with Sharaf a +1000 underdog.