UFC 331: Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski Preview & Prediction

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Light heavyweight sluggers kick off the main card, as Iwo Baraniewski looks to maintain his hot streak against seasoned veteran, Alonzo Menifield.

Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski facts

What time are Alonzo Menifield and Iwo Baraniewski expected to walk out? 20 September 2026 at 2:15 am

Where is UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2? Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 331

What TV channel is UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount

Where can I stream UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 main card

Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight)

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)

Patricio Pitbull vs Choi Doo-ho (Featherweight)

Renato Moicano vs Brian Ortega (Lightweight)

Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski (Light Heavyweight)

UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 prelims

Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf (Heavyweight)

Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain (Bantamweight)

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne (Heavyweight)

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)

Casey O'Neill vs Eduarda Moura (Women's Flyweight)

Ryan Gandra vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)

Michael Aswell Jr. vs Yoo Joo-sang (Featherweight)

Alonzo Menifield: Can "Atomic" cash in as an underdog once again?

Rapidly approaching twenty fights with the UFC, “Atomic” Alonzo Menifield (18-6-1) came up large in his last appearance, putting away Zhang Mingyang in a wild brawl in enemy territory as an underdog. Now firmly established as a middle of the pack light heavyweight after almost a decade with the promotion, Menifield is a physical powerhouse with solid wrestling and devastating power in his fists. He’s 11-6-1 under the UFC banner with wins over the likes of Jimmy Crute, Dustin Jacoby, and Oumar Sy, with the majority of his defeats coming against the cream of crop at 205 pounds.

Iwo Baraniewski: "Rudy" looks to continue his brutal surge through the rankings

3-0 under the UFC banner with as many performance bonuses since earning a contract with a brutal stoppage on the Contender Series, Iwo Baraniewski (9-0) has yet to break the two minute mark across three fights with the promotion. “Rudy” has turned in a trio of stoppages over Ibo Aslan, Austen Lane, and Junior Tafa, with his slobberknocker FOTY contender against Aslan touted by many fans and pundits as one of the most entertaining fights in recent memory. While he actually has a judo base, the Pole is a KO machine in MMA, boasting a 100% finish rate.

Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski prediction

This is the real litmus test for Baraniewski; the fight that determines whether he’s legitimately Top 10 level material or just a fun brawler at this moment in time.

This could well be the fight where “Rudy’s” style catches up with him. If Ibo Aslan was able to hurt and drop Baraniewski, I think that Menifield has the power and experience to potentially put him away. “Atomic” has also been in there with some of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division and Baraniewki’s resume just does not hold up in the cold light of day. Austen Lane is one of the worst fighters in 205 pound history, and while Justin Tafa is always dangerous, the Aussie has historically struggled with leg kicks.

However, while the Pole has yet to produce a win over a solid UFC light heavyweight, Baraniewski seems to have legitimate plot armor. “Rudy” also has the “Legendary Polish Power” in his fists and outside of Zhang Mingyang, Menifield has consistently been folded by the heavier hitters he’s faced in the UFC. I think that he’s in there with a solid chance to score the upset, but I can’t escape the sensation that Baraniewski is going to catch him with something fight ending in the early goings here.

Prediction: Iwo Baraniewski to win by first round KO