Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi Booked for UFC 331 in Los Angeles

Patricio Pitbull and Doo Ho Choi will trade leather at featherweight when UFC 331 rolls into Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, per multiple people with knowledge of the booking. The promotion hasn't locked in a headliner yet, but this one already has the makings of a scrap.

Pitbull Searching for Footing in the UFC

Pitbull (37-9) badly needs it to go his way. The former two-division Bellator champ has stumbled to a 1-2 mark since arriving in the UFC, most recently dropping a decision to Aaron Pico back in April. That loss stung twice over, because Pico has since climbed to No. 12 in the division while Pitbull sits at No. 15 on the MMA Fighting Global Rankings.

The Brazilian's résumé outside the octagon is a different animal entirely. He went 24-6 in Bellator and collected belts in two weight classes. His lone UFC win is a decision over Dan Ige, which tells you the transition to the world's biggest promotion hasn't been smooth for a 38-fight veteran.

The Korean Superboy on a Roll

Choi, meanwhile, is riding momentum. The Korean Superboy has won three straight since 2024, first stopping Bill Algeo, then Nate Landwehr, before returning this past May to knock out Daniel Santos and pocket a $50,000 Fight of the Night check. That's the kind of run that turns a fan favorite into a legitimate contender.

And fan favorite is putting it mildly. Choi (17-4-1) has banked six bonuses across just 10 UFC appearances, a hit rate almost nobody in the sport matches. His 2016 barnburner with Cub Swanson still gets referenced a decade later as one of the best featherweight fights the division has produced.

Styles Make for a Must-Win Clash

So the styles set up nicely. Choi brings volume and violence; Pitbull brings championship-level experience and a chip on his shoulder after two setbacks in three tries. For the Brazilian, this is essentially a must-win to stay relevant in a stacked 145-pound picture.

With the main event still to be confirmed, Pitbull-Choi slots in as one of the more intriguing appetizers on the LA card. If Choi keeps his finishing streak alive against a name like Pitbull, his stock jumps considerably. If Pitbull spoils the party, he steadies a UFC run that's been anything but.