Full Breakdown
UFC 331 Adds High-Profile Bouts as Los Angeles Card Takes Shape
8/5/2026, 9:55:39 PM
New Fights Unveiled for UFC 331 in Los Angeles
UFC officials announced a four-fight slate for the September 19, 2026 event at the Crypto.com Arena. The additions include heavyweight Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf, heavyweight Robelis Despaigne vs. Tai Tuivasa, middleweight Ryan Gandra vs. Ozzy Diaz, and a lightweight rematch between Brian Ortega and Renato Moicano. The promotion has not yet disclosed the main-event or co-main-event matchups.
Background & Context
- Gable Steveson – 2021 Olympic gold-medalist wrestler, 4-0 in MMA with all first-round knockouts. Debuted at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, beating Elisha Ellison.
- Sean Sharaf – Former Lights Out Xtreme Fighting champion, 4-2 overall and 0-2 in the UFC, with recent knockout losses.
- Robelis Despaigne – Returned to the UFC in May 2026, knocking out former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in under three minutes. Debuted at UFC 299 with an 18-second KO of Josh Parisian.
- Tai Tuivasa – Australian heavyweight (15-10) on a seven-fight losing streak after a run of finishes from 2020-2022.
- Ryan Gandra – Holds a 10-1 record at middleweight.
- Ozzy Diaz – Los Angeles native, 10-4, making his fourth UFC appearance.
- Brian Ortega – Former two-time featherweight title challenger (16-5, 1 NC) who moved up to lightweight after missing weight. Previously submitted Moicano at UFC 214.
- Renato Moicano – Ranked #7 at lightweight (21-7-1) after a recent first-round loss to Islam Makhachev. Their rematch was slated for UFC 326 in March 2026 but was postponed when Ortega withdrew with an injury.
Data & Statistics
| Fighter | Record (MMA) | UFC Record | Notable Streak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gable Steveson | 4-0 | 1-0 | Four first-round KOs |
| Sean Sharaf | 4-2 | 0-2 | Two consecutive KO defeats |
| Robelis Despaigne | 6-2 | 1-0 (since return) | KO of Junior dos Santos (May 2026) |
| Tai Tuivasa | 15-10 | 4-? | Seven-fight losing streak |
| Ryan Gandra | 10-1 | — | — |
| Ozzy Diaz | 10-4 | — | — |
| Brian Ortega | 16-5 (1 NC) | 8-5 | Two-fight losing streak |
| Renato Moicano | 21-7-1 | 13-7 | Recent loss to Makhachev |
Official Statements & Responses
The organization indicated negotiations are ongoing for a lightweight headline bout, with reports of a possible Arman Tsarukyan vs. Charles Oliveira rematch, though no final decision has been announced.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the added fights are confirmed, the promotion has not identified a headline or co-main-event for UFC 331, leaving the marquee attraction uncertain.
What’s Next
UFC 331 is set for September 19, 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and will stream live on Paramount+. Ticket sales began on Friday via AXS.com. Fans can expect the announced bouts to take place as part of a broader card that will likely be finalized in the weeks leading up to the event.
