UFC 331: Michael Aswell Jr. vs Yoo Joo-sang Preview & Prediction

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A featherweight prelim at UFC 331 sees relentless pressure fighter Michael Aswell Jr. attempt to drag Korean freestyle striker Joo Sang Yoo into deep water.

Michael Aswell Jr. vs Yoo Joo-sang facts

What time are Michael Aswell Jr. and Yoo Joo-sang expected to walk out? 20 September 2026 at 12:10 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)

Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf (Heavyweight)

Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski (Light Heavyweight)

UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 prelims

Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain (Bantamweight)

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne (Heavyweight)

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

Ryan Gandra vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)

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

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)

Michael Aswell Jr.: Tough but is he tough enough?

Michael Aswell Jr. (11-5) is 1-3 in the UFC and arrives on a two-fight skid, dropping decisions to both Luke Riley and Gaston Bolanos. His one octagon win was a first round knockout of Lucas Almeida last October. The 25-year-old is a high volume pressure boxer with a granite chin, landing 7.6 significant strikes per minute while absorbing a similar amount in return. Every single one of his five career losses have come on the scorecards. Bogdan Grad, Bolaji Oki, Riley and Bolanos have all pieced him up at times, and not one of them came close to putting him away.

Yoo Joo-sang: “Zombie Jr.” returns from a long layoff with something to prove

Joo Sang Yoo (9-1) announced himself in stunning fashion at UFC 316, countering Jeka Saragih with a short left hook for a 28 second knockout and a Performance of the Night bonus. Four months later he faced Daniel Santos, won the opening round, then got clipped early in the second and stopped. He’s not fought since. The 32-year-old is a precise counter striker with a varied kicking game and good lateral movement, though he stands with his hands low, is happy to take one to land one, and has as many decision win as knockouts.

Michael Aswell Jr. vs Yoo Joo-sang prediction

In the Santos fight, Yoo was ahead and comfortable, started to showboat and got loose, and paid for it inside 21 seconds of the second round. We don’t know how he’s going to come into this fight, whether the eleven months away has humbled him or just left him hungrier for another highlight is the question that could decide this fight.

Aswell doesn’t offer an easy way out. He walks forward for 15 minutes, absorbs punishment without breaking, and has never been finished in his professional career. Yoo, by contrast, has been stopped in the only loss he has. A lot of the kicks Yoo has shown in the UFC are flashy and expensive, and if the finish doesn’t come early, that spending could catch up with him in the second half.

The counter from Yoo could be dangerous though. Yoo keeps his hands low, is precise, and against an opponent marching straight at him predictably, that left hook should be available. If he stays disciplined, circles, and refuses the brawl invite, he can outpoint Aswell comfortably – the blueprints there from the other losses on Aswell’s record. However, knowing Yoo, he wants a show. I expect him to get drawn into the pocket where Aswell’s chin lets him eat some to land some, and the attrition will be the deciding factor. Give me the underdog.

Prediction: Michael Aswell Jr. to win by decision