UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 continues on the early prelims with a fight between Edmen Shahbazyan and Brunno Ferreira in the middleweight division. Check out our UFC 331 odds series for our Shahbazyan-Ferreira prediction and pick.
Edmen Shahbazyan (16-6) had his three-fight win streak snapped in June 2026, dropping a decision to Brendan Allen after knocking out Andre Muniz in the first round back in October 2025. That mixed stretch leaves him 3-2 over his last five outings as he comes into his fight this weekend against Brunno Ferreira.
Brunno Ferreira (15-4) has hit a rough patch, losing back-to-back bouts. He was decisioned by Ikram Aliskerov in June 2026 after getting knocked out by Gregory Rodrigues in March 2026, snapping a three-fight win streak that included a decision over Marvin Vettori, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Edmen Shahbazyan.
UFC 331 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC 331 Odds: Edmen Shahbazyan-Brunno Ferreira
Edmen Shahbazyan: -175
Brunno Ferreira: +145
Over 1.5 rounds: -160
Under 1.5 rounds: +124
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Edmen Shahbazyan Will Win
Shahbazyan holds a significant physical edge, standing roughly five inches taller with a five-inch reach advantage at 74 inches to Ferreira's 72. That length allows him to control range and pepper a shorter opponent who tends to come forward looking for power shots.
Ferreira's chin has been a recurring issue, having been knocked out by Nursulton Ruziboev in 2023 before more recently losing his last two fights to Gregory Rodrigues and Ikram Aliskerov. Shahbazyan, who scored a first-round knockout over Andre Muniz in October 2025, has the kind of finishing power that could exploit that same vulnerability.
Shahbazyan also holds a clear edge in takedown defense at 66.7% compared to Ferreira's 47.8%, meaning Ferreira's biggest offensive weapon is less likely to change the fight's location. That matters since Ferreira has landed multiple submission and clinch-based finishes throughout his career.
Both fighters show similar striking volume and accuracy, but Shahbazyan absorbs slightly less per minute while landing at a comparable clip. Combined with better takedown defense and a size advantage, Shahbazyan looks positioned to keep the fight standing at range, avoid Ferreira's power, and pick him apart over three rounds.
Article Continues BelowWhy Brunno Ferreira Will Win
Ferreira's power is his greatest equalizer against a taller opponent, having earned nine of his fifteen career wins by knockout. If he can close the distance and get inside Shahbazyan's reach, his heavy hands give him a finishing path that doesn't require a full five rounds.
Shahbazyan's own durability has been questioned before, having been finished by knockout earlier in his career against Derek Brunson. Ferreira, who has shown he can end fights quickly, could exploit similar openings if Shahbazyan gets careless while trying to control range at distance.
Ferreira also brings a diverse finishing toolkit, adding five submission wins to his knockout total, meaning he doesn't need to win a pure boxing match to get the job done. That versatility forces Shahbazyan to defend multiple layers of offense rather than simply avoiding one dimension.
Both men have shown vulnerability against pressure lately, but Ferreira's recent losses came against ranked, well-rounded competition in Gregory Rodrigues and Ikram Aliskerov, arguably tougher tests than most of Shahbazyan's résumé. If Ferreira can weather Shahbazyan's early output and land his trademark power shots in the pocket, his knockout power and grappling versatility give him a real chance to finish this fight before it reaches the judges.
Final Edmen Shahbazyan-Brunno Ferreira Prediction & Pick
This fight likely comes down to whether Shahbazyan can use his reach advantage to keep Ferreira at range or whether Ferreira closes the gap and lands his power shots. Shahbazyan's five-inch reach edge and stronger takedown defense at 66.7% give him tools to control distance and limit Ferreira's clinch-heavy attack.
Ferreira's chin has been exposed in his last two outings, losing to Gregory Rodrigues and Ikram Aliskerov, both well-rounded strikers who capitalized on his aggression. Shahbazyan's own first-round knockout of Andre Muniz shows he has the power to punish similar openings if Ferreira presses forward recklessly.
Both fighters throw with similar volume and accuracy, but Shahbazyan's slightly better output at range should let him win the striking exchanges without needing to engage in Ferreira's preferred close-quarters brawl.
Expect Shahbazyan to use movement and length early, weather Ferreira's power attempts, then find a finish or clear decision as fatigue and reach disadvantages catch up to Ferreira in the second half.
Final Edmen Shahbazyan-Brunno Ferreira Prediction & Pick: Edmen Shahbazyan (-175), OVER 1.5 Rounds (-160)