MMA DFS Expert Survey: UFC 331 - Van vs. Pantoja 2

Created Sep 18, 2026

Last Updated 2026-09-18 21:55:56 Premium Content Part of the product MMA Premium

Tsarukyan of the UFC

Our panel of experts is here to give you their insights on MMA DFS contests on DraftKings for UFC 331 – Van vs. Pantoja 2. They’re ready to answer key questions that will assist you in making those crucial lineup-building decisions. Curious who Billy Ward has as his favorite value play? Or perhaps you’re wondering who Moneyball16 has as his top fighter for tournaments? Read their thoughts below!

MMA DFS Picks: DraftKings Expert Survey for UFC 331 – Van vs. Pantoja 2

Who is your favorite fighter to spend up for in cash games?

Moneyball16: Van
Bward586: Tsarukyan
LiamPicksFights: Tsarukyan

What are your thoughts about stacking the 5-round fights in cash games?

Moneyball16: Van/Pantoja is an easy stack as an evenly matched fight between two action fighters. I definitely won’t be playing Ruffy in cash because the odds to win aren’t there, and against Tsarukyan’s style, I’m not expecting him to put up many points in a loss. For me, the question comes down to whether or not you play Tsarukyan in cash. I could take or leave him. He is a strong DFS fighter with 5 rounds to work with, but there are a number of pay-up options with great floors, and Ruffy does have good takedown defense.

Bward586: On a 12-fight card, a flyweight title fight is an auto-stack, especially with odds as close as this one. Van scores well with his massive volume, while Pantoja brings grappling upside, and I’d probably stack this one even if it were 3 rounds. I’ll be rostering Tsarukyan, but not Ruffy, in the co-main event, as his takedown ceiling is massive while he’s a relatively safe option as a -300ish favorite.

LiamPicksFights: The title fight stack makes sense for cash games this week. We have a pair of 5-round fights, but the flyweights have more consistency, a higher-proven scoring ceiling, and more affordable salaries. The winner of this fight is very likely to score 100+ points. The only time either man failed to score 23+ points win or lose was Pantoja’s last loss via freak injury against Van in the opening round (Van scored 115+).

What’s one rule/setting that you’re going to use in our MMA DFS optimizer, LineupHQ?

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