UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 continues on the prelims with a fight between Tai Tuivasa and Robelis Despaigne in the heavyweight division. Check out our UFC 331 odds series for our Tuivasa-Despaigne prediction and pick.

Tai Tuivasa (14-10) enters UFC 331 desperate to halt a seven-fight losing streak. He was outpointed by Louie Sutherland in May after another decision loss to Tallison Teixeira in January, marking a sharp departure from the knockout artist whose 13 career wins have come by stoppage, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Robelis Despaigne.

Robelis Despaigne (6-2) returned to the win column in May 2026, stopping former UFC champion Junior dos Santos with first-round punches after consecutive UFC decision losses to Austen Lane and Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Every one of Despaigne’s six victories has come by knockout, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Tai Tuivasa.

UFC 331 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.

UFC 331 Odds: Tai Tuivasa-Robelis Despaigne

Tai Tuivasa: +500

Robelis Despaigne: -700

Over 1.5 rounds: +210

Under 1.5 rounds: -280

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Why Tai Tuivasa Will Win

Tai Tuivasa’s clearest path is taking the fight into the pocket immediately and turning it into the sort of chaotic heavyweight brawl where a single connection outweighs every statistical disadvantage. Despaigne is a towering 6-foot-7 distance striker with a nine-inch reach advantage, but that length means far less once Tuivasa gets chest-to-chest and starts throwing hooks.

Tuivasa has 13 stoppage wins in 14 career victories, and his power remains a legitimate threat even during his losing streak. He does not need to outpoint Despaigne for 15 minutes; he needs one exchange to land his overhand right, left hook, or short elbow.

Despaigne’s UFC losses exposed a key concern: sustained pressure and physical grappling can neutralize his long-range kicking game. Tuivasa is not an elite wrestler, but clinching, crowding the fence, and attacking the body could deny Despaigne the space he needs to operate.

The Australian also has faced substantially deeper UFC competition, including Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, and Derrick Lewis. That experience means Tuivasa has dealt with elite heavyweight power before, while Despaigne still has limited MMA minutes against capable opposition.

Tuivasa is rightly the massive underdog, but heavyweight volatility keeps his upset case alive. If he survives the opening range battle, closes distance, and forces messy exchanges, “Bam Bam” has enough proven knockout power to end the night suddenly.

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Why Robelis Despaigne Will Win

Robelis Despaigne’s biggest edge is impossible to ignore: he stands 6-foot-7 with an 84-inch reach, compared with Tuivasa’s 6-foot-2 frame and 75-inch reach. That nine-inch reach gap gives the Cuban striker ample room to attack with long straight punches, front kicks, and side kicks before Tuivasa can enter boxing range.

Despaigne is also much more efficient defensively, absorbing only 2.54 significant strikes per minute compared with Tuivasa’s 4.61. He lands at a stronger 59% accuracy clip, meaning he can win exchanges by choosing cleaner shots instead of relying on the high-risk brawls that have hurt Tuivasa lately.

Tuivasa comes in on a seven-fight losing streak, with losses to a mix of elite contenders and emerging heavyweights, including Louie Sutherland in May. That slide has exposed a recurring issue: when opponents maintain distance, move laterally, and avoid the pocket, Tuivasa struggles to manufacture his trademark knockout exchanges.

Despaigne’s task is simple but demanding, stay disciplined. If he uses his enormous physical advantages to keep Tuivasa outside, refuses prolonged clinches, and kicks the body and legs to slow the Australian’s entries, he should dictate every minute.

Tuivasa has fight-ending power, but Despaigne’s length, accuracy, and defensive numbers make him the much safer side. Expect Despaigne to control range, punish every entry, and either earn a clear decision or find a late standing stoppage.

Final Tai Tuivasa-Robelis Despaigne Prediction & Pick

Robelis Despaigne should control this heavyweight matchup with length, patience, and cleaner distance striking. His 6-foot-7 frame and 84-inch reach give him a massive nine-inch advantage over Tuivasa, making every entry from the Australian a potentially dangerous moment.

Tuivasa remains a live underdog because his power can erase any technical advantage with one clean hook. But he enters on a seven-fight skid and has repeatedly struggled when opponents maintain distance, move laterally, and refuse to trade in the pocket.

Expect Despaigne to use front kicks, straight punches, and constant movement to frustrate Tuivasa early as Robelis Despaigne delivers a thunderous blow catching Tuivasa as he rushes into range and unloading with straight shots to get the win at UFC 331.

Final Tai Tuivasa-Robelis Despaigne Prediction & Pick: Robelis Despaigne (-700), UNDER 1.5 Rounds (-280)