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UFC 331 results: Alonzo Menifield wins split decision over Iwo Baraniewski despite mangled, broken thumb

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UFC 331 results: Alonzo Menifield wins split decision over Iwo Baraniewski despite mangled, broken thumb

Alonzo Menifield pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career at UFC 331 and he did it despite competing with a mangled thumb that was injured in the opening round.

Menifield showed off the gruesome injury afterwards and revealed it actually happened in the first round but he refused to stop fighting and ultimately won a split decision with scores reading 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 with two judges giving him the fight and the victory.

The light heavyweights were quick to throw with power to start the fight but neither of them were landing just yet. Baraniewski welcomed Menifield into the pocket as they were unloading huge punches.

Menifield connected with a slick combination but Baraniewski showed no fear as he kept firing back and he hurt his opponent as they battled against the cage. Menifield landed a solid punch but Baraniewski returned fire and connected with the better strikes as the light heavyweights hit the floor.

Baraniewski continued to find a home for his combinations but Menifield was evasive enough to avoid a potential knockdown or knockout.

As round two got started, Menifield marched forward and unloaded a barrage of punches in succession before ending up in the clinch with Baraniewskij, jockeying for position against the cage. After they separated, Baraniewski and Menifield just started trading bombs but they refused to go down despite landing with some seriously heavy leather.

With five minutes remaining, the ringside physician paused the action to check on Menifield's left thumb, which looked like it was barely connected to the hand. But Menifield insisted that he wanted to keep going so the fight continued despite effectively competing with a broken thumb.

The slugfest continued with both fighters landing at times, although Menifield seemed to do a big more damage as time ticked away to the final horn. Considering he was fighting with an injury that would send most fighters running for the doctor, Menifield somehow found a way to win as he picks up his second win in a row overall and hands Baraniewski the first loss of his professional career.

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UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights

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2 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights
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Mike Perry speaks out after suffering injury during upset loss to Brandon Jenkins: “Health is wealthâ€

The Octagon returns to Los Angeles for tonight's UFC 331 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2.

Van and Pantoja originally collided at UFC 323 in December of last year, where ‘The Fearless' walked away with the promotion's coveted men's flyweight title after ‘The Cannibal' suffered a nasty arm injury the rendered him unable to continue (see that here).

Joshua Van (17-2 MMA) has since successfully defended the 125lbs strap, this after earning a fifth-round TKO victory over Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old will enter tonight's rematch sporting a seven-fight winning streak.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the aforementioned arm injury against Van at UFC 323. Prior to that setback, ‘The Cannibal' was riding a seven-fight winning streak, a stretch which included four successful title defenses over the likes of Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.

UFC 331 is co-headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight bout featuring Arman Tsarukyan taking on Maurício Ruffy.

(via Zuffa LLC)

Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA) will enter the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent Octagon victory coming against Dan Hooker via second-round submission in November of 2025. Prior to that triumph, ‘Batman' had earned a split decision win over current BMF title holder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.

Meanwhile, Maurício Ruffy (14-2 MMA) was most previously seen in action at June's UFC Freedom 250 event, where he scored an impressive first-round TKO win over former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. The hard-hitting Brazilian has gone 4-1 over his past five fights, with his lone setback in that time coming against Benoit Saint Denis by way of submission.

If that wasn't enough to get you interested, tonight's UFC 331 main card lineup also features a featherweight matchup between Patrício Pitbull and Doo Ho Choi.

Pitbull (37-9 MMA) will enter the bout looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Aaron Pico at April's UFC 327 event. Prior to that setback, the former Bellator champion was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige.

Meanwhile, Doo Ho Choi (17-4-1 MMA) currently boasts a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring TKO victories over Bill Algeo, Nate Landwehr and Daniel Santos. Prior to those impressive finishes, the Korean standout had fought Kyle Nelson to a majority draw.

Get all of tonight's live results and highlights below (refresh for updates):

UFC 331 Main Card (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)

Joshua Van (125) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (125) – Van def. Pantoja by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–47, 50–45)

Arman Tsarukyan (156) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (155) – Tsarukyan def. Ruffy via KO (elbow) at 4:57 of Round 1

Patricio Pitbull (145.5) vs. Doo Ho Choi (146) – Pitbull def. Choi via KO (punches) at 3:28 of Round 1

Gable Steveson (240) vs. Sean Sharaf (241) – Sharaf def. Steveson via KO (punch) at 0:12 of Round 1

Alonzo Menifield (205.5) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (206) – Menifield def. Baraniewski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC 331 Prelims (Paramount+, 7 p.m. ET)

Marlon Vera (136) vs. Charles Jourdain (135) – Vera def. Jourdain via TKO at 2:02 of Round 3

Tai Tuivasa (264.5) vs. Robelis Despaigne (263) – Despaigne def. Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Michael Aswell (146) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (145.5) – Aswell def. Yoo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ryan Gandra (186) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186) – Gandra def. Diaz via TKO (punches) at 2:04 of Round 1

UFC 331 Early Prelims (Paramount+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

Edmen Shahbazyan (185) vs. Brunno Ferreira (184.5) – Shahbazyan def. Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

Casey O'Neill (125) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.5) – O'Neil def. Moura via submission (armbar) at 3:22 of Round 1

Giga Chikadze (146) vs. Joanderson Brito (145.5) – Brito def. Chikadze via KO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 1

Who are you picking to win tonight's flyweight title fight rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja? Share your predictions in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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UFC 331: Live updates, highlights for Van vs. Pantoja

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3 hours ago

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September 19, 2026

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UFC 331: Live updates, highlights for Van vs. Pantoja

This is the UFC 331 live blog for Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski, the main card light heavyweight bout Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Menifield (18-7-1) heads into Saturday night's event as the underdog, but the 205-pound veteran has a habit of spoiling the plans of the matchmakers. This past May, he headed into enemy territory to win a thrilling striking battle against China's Zhang Mingyang, and was previously the first man to defeat French prospect Oumar Sy. He has won three of his past four fights.

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UFC 331 live blog: Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski

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5 hours ago

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September 19, 2026

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UFC 331 live blog: Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski

This is the UFC 331 live blog for Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski, the main card light heavyweight bout Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Menifield (18-7-1) heads into Saturday night's event as the underdog, but the 205-pound veteran has a habit of spoiling the plans of the matchmakers. This past May, he headed into enemy territory to win a thrilling striking battle against China's Zhang Mingyang, and was previously the first man to defeat French prospect Oumar Sy. He has won three of his past four fights.

The red-hot Baraniewski (9-0) seeks his fourth UFC victory, with none of his octagon appearances lasting longer than 90 seconds. Baraniewski, 27, debuted with a wild win over Ibo Aslan, and followed that up with a 28-second knockout over Austen Lane before scoring another fast finish against Junior Tafa. With a win over the veteran Menifield, Baraniewski likely finds himself with a number next to his name when the rankings are next updated.

Check out the UFC 331 live blog for Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski below.

All aboard the Iwo Baraniewski hype train! Is he the future light heavyweight GOAT or, as Jed Meshew has suggested, just the 205-pound version of Terrance McKinney? We'll learn a lot tonight in this matchup with the always game Alonzo Menifield.

The undefeated Baraniewski is a sizable favorite at -295 according to FanDuel, Menifield the underdog at +240.

Tentative start, both guys respecting each other's power. Menifield lands a right, Baraniewski answers with a left hand. Menifield with a good job, but Baraniewski connects with a power punch and that backs Menifield up. Menifield comes forward and gets rocked again. Baraniewski on the offensive, Menifield wisely ties him up.

They separate and Baraniewski immediately starts throwing, he has Menifield hurt. Baraniewski in top position now, working to get to full mount. Menifield survives but he looks rattled as the round comes to a close, Baraniewski continuing to fire.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Baraniewski.

Menifield immediately comes out swinging and Baraniewski just eats it. No way these guys can keep fighting like this without someone getting flattened. Pace finally slows with the fighters pummeling against the fence. Back at distance, Baraniewski and Menifield looking to establish the jab. Baraniewski connects and immediately goes headhunting, Menifield with good movement to stay out of danger. Neither guy looks particularly fresh right now and there's a lot of fight left.

Gnarly fight inside, Menifield scoring. Whenever he gets going, though, one good counter from Baraniewski gives him pause. Baraniewski beating Menifield to the punch, Menifield's chin is holding up. Menifield with a right across the chin. He ends the round as the aggressor. Close, close round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Menifield. Overall, 19-19.

Before the round starts, they're bringing in a doctor to check on Menifield's hand. All good. The broadcast zooms in and it looks like his thumb is mangled. Eep.

Quick flurry from Menifield and Baraniewski ties him up. He's pressuring Menifield against the fence. Action has slowed to a crawl. This could be good for Baraniewski with his gas tank not exactly at peak capacity right now. Menifield reverses position and now he has fence control. Crowd boos the lack of action. Menifield trying to throw short punches, but Baraniewski stays locked on to him.

We get a separation with about 90 seconds to go. They trade jabs, Menifield with a slight advantage as it looks like he has more energy. The veteran might pull this off. This is a Menifield round for me, but could go Baraniewski's way if he got the first two.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Menifield. Overall, 29-28 Menifield.

Official result: Alonzo Menifield def. Iwo Baraniewski via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

Menifield calls Baraniewski “awesome†and then downplays his thumb injury, saying his problems are nothing compared to that of homeless people. He says his mom used to have to search through trash when he was growing up, “Where I come from, this is my background, I have to be [tough].â€

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