Shahbazyan vs. Ferreira Set for UFC 331 in Los Angeles

The UFC's return to Los Angeles is filling out. Middleweight veterans Edmen Shahbazyan (16-6) and Brunno Ferreira (15-4) will square off at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena, a booking confirmed as the promotion continues to load the card without yet naming a headliner.

It's a matchup of two guys trending in opposite directions. Shahbazyan is coming off a Fight of the Night-caliber three-round decision loss to Brendan Allen (27-7) in June — a defeat that snapped a three-fight run in which he beat Andre Muniz, Andre Petroski and Dylan Budka. Ferreira, meanwhile, went 3-0 across 2025 and capped it with a decision over former title challenger Marvin Vettori, only to drop his next two against Gregory Rodrigues and Ikram Aliskerov.

Momentum Cuts Both Ways

Shahbazyan's 2025 rebuild had teeth. His win over Muniz came by first-round elbows, a reminder that at 27 the once-hyped prospect still has finishing power when things line up. Allen, currently ranked No. 4 at 185, was simply a step above on the night — but Shahbazyan hung in for 15 minutes and walked away with a bonus, which counts for something in a division where he's trying to prove the ceiling talk wasn't hollow.

Ferreira's problem is opposite: the losing streak. After looking like a live body with the Vettori win, back-to-back defeats have cooled things fast. A third straight loss would be a real dent to his standing. For both men, this is a fight neither can afford to lose without consequences.

A Brazil vs. The World Flavor

UFC 331 is shaping up with a distinct Brazil-against-everyone-else theme. Previously reported bouts pit Renato Moicano against Brian Ortega, Patricio Pitbull against Doo Ho Choi, Ryan Gandra against Ozzy Diaz, and Eduarda Moura against Casey O'Neill. Ferreira slots neatly into that pattern as another Brazilian tasked with defending the flag — this time against the LA-based Shahbazyan.

No main event yet, but the supporting cast is already deep enough to sell tickets. Expect the promotion to name a headliner in the coming weeks as the Sept. 19 date approaches.