Joo Sang Yoo – Michael Aswell

Fighters' momentum

UFC 331 fight - Van vs Pantoja 2, on September 19, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, in the featherweight division. The matchup pits Michael Aswell Jr. against JooSang Yoo and is scheduled for three rounds.

The fight is on the combats préliminaires, announced for 19:00 EDT / 23:00 UTC, but the exact walkout time has not been confirmed by the UFC; 23:45 UTC is only the time provided by the website. No last-minute replacement has been reported for this bout.

Yoo is listed at 5’7”, with a 71,5” reach, orthodox; Aswell at 5’8”, with a 69” reach. The available statistics remain limited, particularly for Yoo.

Head-to-head

No verified previous matchup between Michael Aswell Jr. and JooSang Yoo was found in the UFC records consulted. There is therefore no documented head-to-head encounter to support an analysis based on styles already tested against each other.

Preparation and physical condition

No sufficiently direct and dated public information confirms an injury, medical issue, difficult weight cut, or training interruption before the research cutoff. The photo, faceoff, and weigh-in do not allow this to be inferred.

The official weight difference is small, but it provides no information about recovery after the weigh-in. Aswell arrives after two UFC losses by decision, against Luke Riley on March 21, 2026, then Gaston Bolaños on June 20, 2026.

Yoo won by KO against Jeka Saragih on June 7, 2025, then lost by strikes to Daniel Santos on October 4, 2025.

Context & news

Both fighters primarily strike standing: 93% of Aswell’s significant strikes and 95% of Yoo’s were produced in this position. Aswell lands 7.60 significant strikes per minute, with 52% défense and 56% takedown défense; Yoo records 6.36, 56%, and 50%.

These figures do not directly measure the quality of wrestling faced, and the sources do not allow confirmation of Yoo’s wrestling entries, cage control, get-ups, or submission défense. Yoo scenario: his listed reach, early power, and finishing history may allow him to land from distance and pursue a KO/TKO, but his last UFC appearance ended by knockout in the second round, and his recent experience does not prove superiority over three rounds.

Aswell scenario: his recent activity, three-round experience, and documented resilience in decision losses may favor a long fight won through volume and points, but he must contend with two consecutive decision losses, shorter reach, and Yoo’s power sequences. No clear cardio advantage is confirmed.

Matchup and opponent

Confirmed for UFC 331, at featherweight and over three rounds. No last-minute replacement has been confirmed for this fight before the research cutoff.

The official weigh-in on September 18, 2026, had Aswell at 146 lb and Yoo at 145.5 lb, both within the non-title featherweight limit. The exact time of their appearance on the card remains unknown.