Van Opens As Slight Favorite Over Pantoja At UFC 331

Joshua Van will defend his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja on Sept. 19 at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, with opening odds making it nearly a pick'em fight.

Van claimed the belt from Pantoja last December when the fight ended in less than 30 seconds after Pantoja injured his arm bracing a fall from a takedown. The oddsmakers have Van at -115 and Pantoja at -105, per Sherdog, reflecting how tight the rematch figures to be. Van has since defended the strap with a late stoppage of Tatsuro Taira and rides a seven-fight winning streak.

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Tsarukyan Heavy Favorite In Co-Main Event

The co-main event pits Arman Tsarukyan against Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight clash. Tsarukyan, widely viewed as the top contender at 155 pounds, opened as a -400 favorite. Ruffy comes in at +315 in what will be his toughest assignment to date.

Elsewhere on the card, Tai Tuivasa looks to snap a seven-fight skid when he faces Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist Robelis Despaigne. Tuivasa is a +365 underdog against the -475 favorite Despaigne, who returns for his second UFC run.

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Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson makes a quick turnaround after his successful debut last month. Steveson is the biggest favorite on the entire card at -1800 against Sean Sharaf, who has dropped both of his UFC appearances and enters at +1000.

UFC 331 will air live from Crypto.com Arena on Paramount Plus.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — UFC 331 opening odds highlight massive favorites