The featured bout of the UFC 331 Prelims is in the Bantamweight division as Marlon Vera faces Charles Jourdain. Vera is looking to snap his four-fight losing streak while Jourdain tries to extend his winning streak to four. The UFC 331 Prelims start at 7:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
Check out my best bet for Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain at UFC 331 below.
Charles Jourdain to Win by Decision (-135)
Jourdain is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Kyler Phillips in April. After two straight losses from January to June 2024, Jourdain has found more success at 135 pounds. If he can beat Vera at UFC 331, Jourdain would enter his first four-fight winning streak since 2019. From 2021 to 2023, Vera went on an excellent run, winning five of six fights. But since then, Vera has suffered four consecutive losses and has now gone over three years without a win.
In this contest, Jourdain is the favorite at -205 with Vera as a +170 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook. This contest has an over/under of 2.5 rounds, with the over at -280 and the under at +210. This contest is -225 to go the distance and +165 to end early. Jourdain is one inch taller (5’9″ vs. 5’8″) while Vera has a one-inch edge in standing reach (70″ vs. 69″). On the feet, Jourdain averages more significant strikes per minute (5.36 vs. 4.18) while having the better striking accuracy (49% vs. 47%).
Although Vera has more high-level experience against elite opponents, Jourdain is currently the better fighter with more momentum. Until Vera can prove that he can compete with the up-and-coming fighters in the Bantamweight division, it will be hard to back him. Vera has been very passive lately and likely will not have the volume to keep up with Jourdain. Although three of Jourdain’s previous four wins came by submission, his last victory against Kyler Phillips was a decision. I think this fight will play out similarly to Jourdain’s last one, with him out-striking Vera for three rounds. You can get Jourdain to win by decision at -130.
