Dooho Choi – Patricio Pitbull

Fighters' momentum

UFC 331 is announced for Los Angeles on September 19, 2026, which is September 20 in UTC, at featherweight, between Dooho Choi and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. Une source spécialisée lists records of 17-4-1 and 37-9-0, but this is secondary confirmation and the format has not been verified.

The number of rounds is unknown, with only three rounds seeming likely. Choi is coming off a win over Daniel Santos by second-round stoppage on May 16, 2026; Pitbull fought Aaron Pico for three rounds on April 11, 2026.

The available measurements and technical profiles remain to be confirmed.

Head-to-head

No previous Choi-Pitbull matchup appears in the records consulted. The documented absence of a direct confrontation therefore means the analysis cannot rely on a specific prior encounter between them.

Preparation and physical condition

No currently verifiable public injury, withdrawal, or confirmed replacement. A past mention of Pitbull’s neck injury does not allow inference of his current medical condition.

The official weigh-in had not yet taken place; therefore, the status of the weight cut is unknown.

Context & news

Choi, orthodox and oriented toward fighting at range, has approximately 5.0 significant strikes landed per minute, 57% striking défense, and 59% takedown défense in his UFC record; these figures are probable and describe his UFC history, not necessarily his current level. Against Cub Swanson at UFC 206 in 2016, he declined sharply in the third round, landing 16 significant strikes out of 51.

Choi scenario: maintain distance, punish entries with counters, and seek a standing stoppage; his main obstacle is compact pressure, clinch work, and takedowns. Pitbull is probably smaller and shorter, with approximately 2.7 significant strikes landed per minute, 57% striking défense, and 74-88% takedown défense depending on the statistics page used.

Against Dan Ige at UFC 318 in 2025, he won the significant exchanges 55-47 and completed all five of his takedown attempts. Pitbull scenario: close the distance, mix striking and wrestling, work against the cage, and aim for control or a decision; his main obstacle is getting inside without absorbing Choi’s volume and counters.

Pitbull has documented experience in five-round fights and long decisions, whereas Choi’s recent experience is documented mainly over three rounds. If the fight is ultimately scheduled for three rounds, this long-endurance advantage will carry less weight.

Matchup and opponent

Both fighters and the UFC featherweight matchup are sufficiently established by AS and une source spécialisée. No verifiable opponent replacement was found.

The official round format remains unknown; an official weigh-in had not yet taken place as of the cutoff date.