Marlon Vera stopped Charles Jourdain by TKO at 2:02 of Round 3 to close the Crypto.com UFC 331 prelims in Los Angeles, ending a four-fight skid and picking up his first win in more than three years, while Joanderson Brito, Casey O’Neill, and Ryan Gandra each finished fights in Round 1.
The preliminary card ran at Crypto.com Arena on September 19, 2026 — UFC’s first Los Angeles stop in eight years — and was recapped by E. Spencer Kyte on UFC.com.
Vera ends the skid against Jourdain
Vera, a former title challenger from Ecuador, closed the prelims in a bantamweight bout against French-Canadian Charles Jourdain. The first round was close, with Jourdain holding the volume edge and Vera landing the heavier shots. In Round 2 Vera sat Jourdain down twice; in Round 3 he floored him again, and Jourdain waved off the contest himself.
First-round finishes: Brito, O’Neill, Gandra
Joanderson Brito opened the night by knocking out Giga Chikadze at 1:57 of Round 1. After Chikadze had early success with kicks, the Georgian slipped throwing a head kick; Brito followed to the ground and finished with ground-and-pound. The 31-year-old Contender Series graduate now has consecutive stoppages this year and three straight wins.
Casey O’Neill submitted Eduarda Moura with an armbar at 3:20 of Round 1. Seconds after Moura was deep on a D’arce choke, O’Neill escaped, put in her butterflies, elevated Moura, shifted her hips into the armbar, and went belly-down for the tap — her second straight first-round finish.
Ryan Gandra knocked out Ozzy Diaz with strikes at 2:04 of Round 1. After a cautious start, the Contender Series graduate poured on punches until the referee stepped in. It was Gandra’s third first-round finish in three starts this year, extending his winning streak into double digits at 185 pounds.
Decisions: Despaigne, Aswell Jr., Shahbazyan
Robelis Despaigne took a heavyweight split decision over Tai Tuivasa (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) for his second UFC win in his return. UFC noted the loss leaves Tuivasa on an eight-fight skid, matching the mark it attributed to former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson.
Michael Aswell Jr. edged JooSang Yoo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) in a featherweight bout for his second UFC win. The 25-year-old “Texas Kid,” who trains alongside flyweight champion Joshua Van, set the early pace before surviving late pressure and a late takedown from Yoo.
Edmen Shahbazyan returned home to Los Angeles and beat Brunno Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). Patient striking early and grappling late carried the Contender Series Season 2 alumnus to his 10th UFC win.
Prelim results
- Marlon Vera def. Charles Jourdain by TKO (strikes), Round 3, 2:02
- Robelis Despaigne def. Tai Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Michael Aswell Jr. def. JooSang Yoo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ryan Gandra def. Ozzy Diaz by KO (strikes), Round 1, 2:04
- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brunno Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Casey O’Neill def. Eduarda Moura by submission (armbar), Round 1, 3:20
- Joanderson Brito def. Giga Chikadze by KO (strikes), Round 1, 1:57
Source: Prelim Results | Crypto.com UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 — E. Spencer Kyte, Sep. 20, 2026, UFC.com
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