Pantoja opens as favourite to reclaim flyweight title from Van at UFC 331

Alexandre Pantoja is the narrow favourite to reclaim the UFC flyweight title he once held, with early odds for UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles placing the Brazilian at -115 against champion Joshua Van (-105) in their highly anticipated rematch.

The near-even line reflects the closeness of the matchup, but it is a notable position for a reigning champion to enter as an underdog — however slight. Van won the title from Pantoja in their first encounter and will be looking to prove that result was no fluke on home soil in California.

Elsewhere on the card, Arman Tsarukyan is a commanding -380 favourite over Mauricio Ruffy (+305) in the co-main event, a lightweight clash that carries genuine title implications given Tsarukyan’s ranking and trajectory in the division.

The most eye-catching line belongs to Gable Steveson, the Olympic gold medallist turned MMA prospect, who opens at a massive -1500 against Sean Sharaf (+600). The figure underscores just how much the market expects from Steveson, though it also reflects how little professional MMA record Sharaf brings into the bout.

Robelis Despaigne is another heavy favourite at -700 against Tai Tuivasa (+505), a line that signals the market’s view of where Tuivasa currently stands after a difficult run of results.

One of the more intriguing storylines involves Brian Ortega and Renato Carneiro meeting for the second time. Despite Ortega winning their first fight nine years ago, Carneiro opens as the favourite at -210, with Ortega available at +180 — a reversal that points to how both men’s careers have evolved since that original meeting.

Patricio Freire enters his clash with Doo Ho Choi as an underdog at +190, with Choi the -225 favourite. The full 13-fight card odds are listed below.

UFC 331 — Full Card Early Odds

Joshua Van (-105) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (-115)

Arman Tsarukyan (-380) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (+305)

Gable Steveson (-1500) vs. Sean Sharaf (+600)

Patricio Freire (+190) vs. Doo Ho Choi (-225)

Brian Ortega (+180) vs. Renato Carneiro (-210)

Alonzo Menifield (+245) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (-300)

Marlon Vera (+185) vs. Charles Jourdain (-215)

Tai Tuivasa (+505) vs. Robelis Despaigne (-700)

Bruno Ferreira (+135) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (-155)

Giga Chikadze (+275) vs. Joanderson Brito (-340)

Eduarda Moura (+155) vs. Casey O’Neill (-175)

Michael Aswell (+210) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (-250)

Osman Diaz (+190) vs. Ryan Gandra (-230)