UFC 331: Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito Preview & Prediction

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Giga Chikadze looks to rediscover his form of old against dangerous finisher, Joanderson Brito.

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito facts

What time are Giga Chikadze and Joanderson Brito expected to walk out? 19 September 2026 at 10:10 pm

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)

Giga Chikadze: Can "Ninja" produce a vintage performance?

A seven fight win streak had many heralding Giga Chikadze (15-6) as a dark horse contender at featherweight at one point in time, but a string of brutal losses and time on the sidelines due to injuries mean that those days are long gone. A slick, technical kickboxer when he’s at his best, Chikadze’s downfall began with a career changing beatdown at the hands of Calvin Kattar in his sophomore main event spot back in 2022. Chikadze is 1-3 since then, rebounding with a victory over Alex Caceres, before dropping results to Arnold Allen, David Onama, and Kevin Vallejos, with his most recent loss coming by way of brutal KO.

Joanderson Brito: The Brazilian looks for his third successive victory

Earning a UFC contract with a decision over two-time title challenger, Diego Lopes, on the Contender Series, well-rounded finisher, Joanderson Brito (19-5-1) dropped his debut to Bill Algeo, before embarking on a five fight win streak with five stoppages. “Tubarao” is 2-2 since then, dropping a pair of results to William Gomis and Pat Sabatini, before rebounding with consecutive wins over Isaac Thomson and Jordan Leavitt, with his most recent victory coming by way of finish. Pushing a high pace, Brito has heavy hands and is known for his ability to find opportunistic submissions.

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito prediction

I think that these odds are actually a bit unfair on Chikadze. He’s got a significant size advantage over Brito and he looked pretty good against an elite prospect in Kevin Vallejos right up until he ended up getting flatlined. Outside of a loss to David Onama, he’s only lost to really solid names during his UFC tenure.

However, while Brito’s last two wins over Jordan Leavitt and Isaac Thomson aren’t anything to write home about, he’s got considerably more momentum than a man who hasn’t tasted victory in over three years. Outside of a loss to Bill Algeo in his debut, he’s only been bested by William Gomis and Pat Sabatini under the UFC banner. He arguably could have gotten the nod against Gomis and there’s no shame in losing to one of the most smothering wrestlers in the division. Furthermore, it’s not like Chikadze is going to emulate Sabatini’s performance here.

Throw in the fact that “Ninja” is 38 and coming off a scary KO loss, and all signs point to a Brito victory here. I see Chikadze starting well but Brito is going to mix in the grappling to earn the victory, potentially even scoring a late finish as the Georgian begins to flag.

Prediction: Joanderson Brito to win