UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 continues on the prelims with a fight between Marlon Vera and Charles Jourdain in the bantamweight division. Check out our UFC 331 odds series for our Vera-Jourdain prediction and pick.

Marlon Vera (23-12-1) enters UFC 331 looking to snap the first four-fight skid of his career. He most recently lost a unanimous decision to David Martinez in February, following a 2025 split-decision setback against Aiemann Zahabi, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Charles Jourdain.

Charles Jourdain (18-8-1, 9-7-1 UFC) has transformed his career at bantamweight, where he is unbeaten in three fights. He followed first-round submission wins over Victor Henry and Davey Grant by outpointing Kyler Phillips in April, extending his winning streak as he comes into his fight this weekend against Marlon Vera.

UFC 331 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.

UFC 331 Odds: Marlon Vera-Charles Jourdain

Marlon Vera: +180

Charles Jourdain: -218

Over 2.5 rounds: -260

Under 2.5 rounds: +195

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Why Marlon Vera Will Win

Marlon Vera’s clearest advantage is durability: across 36 professional bouts and 12 losses, nobody has ever finished him. That resilience lets him absorb adversity, stay composed through early deficits, and remain dangerous when opponents begin to slow.

Jourdain is likely to start faster and land more overall volume, but Vera has built his career on surviving the opening stages and making intelligent adjustments. His ability to withstand pressure is particularly useful against a fighter who relies on pace, movement, and body attacks to establish control.

Vera also owns the more versatile finishing résumé, with eight knockout victories and 10 submissions across his career. He can hurt Jourdain with long kicks, elbows, and power shots, but he also carries a genuine grappling threat if the Canadian overcommits in close range.

The takedown matchup could be pivotal. Vera’s 71% takedown defense is substantially stronger than Jourdain’s 46%, allowing him to fend off wrestling attempts while potentially capitalizing if Jourdain initiates desperate shots.

Vera is on a four-fight skid, so the form concern is real, but that losing streak has come entirely by decision against credible opposition rather than stoppages. A new camp could help sharpen his preparation, and his proven chin, finishing diversity, and late-fight composure give him a live upset route at UFC 331.

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Why Charles Jourdain Will Win

Charles Jourdain enters with the sharper momentum, having won three straight since moving to bantamweight, including two finishes and three consecutive performance bonuses. By contrast, Vera is trying to stop a four-fight losing streak, a major confidence and urgency gap entering a high-pressure matchup.

Jourdain’s offensive output gives him a strong route to winning rounds. He lands 3.9 significant strikes per minute in the opening round and 5.8 in round two, while Vera starts slowly at 2.8 and 4.4, allowing Jourdain to build an early lead.

The Canadian also attacks the body exceptionally well, landing 20.7 body strikes per 15 minutes at 70% accuracy, compared with Vera’s 13.2 at 61%. Those sustained body attacks could limit Vera’s late-round surges and make him less dangerous as the fight develops.

Jourdain’s pace should be particularly important because Vera has historically relied on durability and late adjustments rather than fast starts. If Jourdain mixes kicks, body work, and quick combinations without lingering in the pocket, he can consistently beat Vera to the target.

Final Marlon Vera-Charles Jourdain Prediction & Pick

Charles Jourdain enters as the deserved favorite, carrying a three-fight bantamweight winning streak while Marlon Vera tries to stop a four-fight slide. His activity, quicker combinations, and body work should allow him to win the early exchanges and force Vera to chase the fight.

Vera is still extremely dangerous because he has never been stopped and owns the more proven late-fight finishing ability. If Jourdain slows down or stays in the pocket too long, Vera’s elbows, kicks, and counter shots can swing the contest in seconds.

However, Jourdain’s recent form provides more confidence than Vera’s durability alone. The market has Jourdain near a 65% favorite, and that reflects his ability to build a lead through pace while avoiding the kind of extended exchanges that give Vera life.

Expect Jourdain to attack the body early, use lateral movement, and keep Vera from finding sustained offense as Charles Jourdain picks up the unanimous decision, winning two rounds clearly before Vera makes a dangerous but ultimately unsuccessful late push.

Final Marlon Vera-Charles Jourdain Prediction & Pick: Charles Jourdain (-218), OVER 2.5 Rounds (-260)