The UFC is making its way back to Los Angeles, staging an exciting event at the aptly named Crypto.com Arena. The 24-year-old flyweight champion Joshua Van aims to dispel any doubts lingering from his unfortunate first bout against Alexandre Pantoja, seizing the opportunity to establish himself as the definitive leader in the flyweight division.
In the gripping five-round co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan returns to face Mauricio Ruffy, known for his powerful and persistent striking. Tsarukyan has an impressive 10-1 record in his last 11 fights and is once again vying for a shot at the title, while Ruffy’s knockout power makes him a formidable spoiler.
- Is the Van-Pantoja rematch the most significant flyweight title fight in history?
Petesy Carroll is eagerly anticipating the rematch, feeling for Pantoja, who lost his title due to a freak injury. While she enjoys watching Van’s dominance, she hopes Pantoja gets the chance to reclaim the belt. Although she struggles to rank this fight above legendary bouts like Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo or the intense clash of “Triple C” and T.J. Dillashaw, the unresolved ending of the first fight gives this match added intrigue. She also notes that flyweight was generally less captivating during Johnson’s tenure, but this fight certainly outshines the weaker UFC 332 card.
Chuck Mindenhall agrees UFC 332 pales in comparison and suggests this fight at UFC 331 matches the significance of the Johnson-Cejudo rematch. Van’s youth, fearless style, and previous performances against Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira add to the buzz. Pantoja, meanwhile, embodies the role of the determined challenger intent on reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his. Their personal rivalry heightens the stakes beyond any past flyweight title bouts.
- If Van retains his title as dominantly as he did against Tatsuro Taira, will this mark his ascendancy, and how big a star can he become?
Chuck believes that Van’s energetic fighting style and readiness to take risks could propel him into UFC stardom, unlike some prior flyweight champions who failed to capture widespread attention. The division’s current depth might finally garner the respect it deserves and embrace a new, dynamic champion.
Petesy concurs, praising Van’s thrilling approach and noting his representation of Myanmar, a country new to UFC success. However, she cautions that to reach superstardom, Van might need the flair and charisma that define modern UFC stars, as pure fighting skill alone rarely suffices—Demetrious Johnson’s career being a prime example.
- What strategy must Mauricio Ruffy employ to defeat Arman Tsarukyan?
Petesy advises that Ruffy must imitate Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson’s elusive style, avoiding Tsarukyan’s grappling and clinches while capitalizing on his one-punch knockout power early on. However, Ruffy’s prior loss to Benoit Saint Denis via grappling makes her wary, as Tsarukyan possesses an even more advanced ground game.
Chuck agrees and adds that Ruffy’s improved discipline training with Alexander Volkanovski might add new dimensions to his game. He stresses that Ruffy’s success hinges on countering Tsarukyan’s control, creating openings for his power strikes, and potentially unsettling his opponent with clinch work.
- If Tsarukyan wins, will he get the next lightweight title shot, or could the UFC again overlook him?
Chuck fears Tsarukyan might be passed over yet again, especially as Dana White shows interest in rematches involving Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Despite Tsarukyan deserving a title shot if he wins decisively, promotional politics and fighter preferences might see him sidelined. Still, the fighter’s affluent lifestyle might cushion any such disappointment.
Petesy validates these concerns, citing UFC’s decreasing focus on merit and growing emphasis on spectacle. Tsarukyan’s increasing popularity and his solid fight style are overshadowed by off-cage incidents, which could hinder his title aspirations. Moreover, the crowded lightweight landscape means Tsarukyan needs a flawless win and a clean public image to remain a top contender.
- Tai Tuivasa is on the brink of tying BJ Penn’s record of eight consecutive UFC losses. Will he hit that mark, and why is he still in the UFC?
Petesy points out that despite his losing streak, Tuivasa remains recognizable partly due to the traditionally shallow heavyweight division. She foresees Tuivasa’s likely defeat against the returning Robelis Despaigne, who is expected to aggressively exploit Tuivasa’s vulnerabilities.
Chuck sympathizes with Tuivasa’s thirst for victory, reminiscing about his signature “shoey” celebrations, now banned. However, he doubts Tuivasa has evolved beyond a single, limited fighting pace and braces for yet another loss at Despaigne’s hands, noting the harshness of being the first obstacle for a UFC returnee.
- Which fight on UFC 331, aside from the main and co-main events, holds the most promise?
Chuck singles out the bout between Doo-ho Choi and Patricio Pitbull, noting Pitbull’s age and possible retirement motives and Choi’s consistent performance. He’s also watching the Ryan Gandra vs. Osman Diaz matchup as a potential dark horse with high stakes.
Petesy reflects on the shock of how much time has passed since Choi’s epic fight with Cub Swanson. She is also curious about the Charles Jourdain vs. Marlon Vera contest, where an aggressive Vera might abandon caution to end his losing streak against an ascending Jourdain.
Fan Take:
This UFC event underscores the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts, spotlighting emerging talent like Joshua Van alongside established contenders fighting to reclaim relevance. The outcomes here could redefine divisions, shift fan allegiances, and signal how personality and skill must balance to create future stars in a sport hungry for new heroes.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
