Michael Aswell Jr.W vs. Joo Sang Yoo
UFC 331 · September 19, 2026 · Crypto.com Arena · Prelims 7:00 PM ET
The brief
- The result
- Michael Aswell Jr. by Decision (split), R3
- What kind of fight
- Bounce-back featherweights collide
- Finish likelihood
- Medium
- The line
- Jr. +180 · Yoo -218Consensus (multiple sportsbooks)
- The stakes
- Featherweight · Prelims
The result
Michael Aswell Jr. def. Joo Sang Yoo — Decision (split), R3 5:00
Michael Aswell Jr. sprung an upset over heavily-favored Joo Sang Yoo, taking a split decision.
Aswell's aggressive boxing and kicking carried the first two rounds, and although Yoo pushed the pace late, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit, with the judges scoring it 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 for Aswell.
The breakdown below was written before the fight.
The read
Yoo's knockout power gives him the more explosive path to a finish, but Aswell's durability has taken him the distance in every UFC loss so far.
If Yoo can find his range early the way he did in his debut, he has a real chance to end this fast; if it goes long, Aswell's experience edge could take over.
The matchup
Both featherweights are looking to snap a recent skid — Aswell off back-to-back decision losses, Yoo off the first stoppage loss of his career.
Aswell's well-rounded output has carried him to five decision wins, while Yoo's knockout power announced itself immediately in a 28-second finish of his UFC debut opponent.
Tale of the tape
| 11-5 | Record | 9-1 |
| — | Age | 32 |
| 5'8" | Height | 5'7" |
| 69" | Reach | 71" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| United States | Country | South Korea |
| — | Team | — |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Michael Aswell Jr. 11-5
“The Texas Kid”
Michael 'The Texas Kid' Aswell Jr. is a Houston-born featherweight whose 11-5 record includes six knockouts and five decision wins, all five of his career losses coming by decision. He has dropped back-to-back scorecards, most recently to Gaston Bolanos in June 2026, and now looks to snap that skid against South Korean prospect Joo Sang Yoo.
- LGaston Bolanos · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night · June 20, 2026
- LLuke Riley · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night · March 21, 2026
- WLucas Almeida · KO/TKOUFC Fight Night · October 11, 2025
Joo Sang Yoo 9-1
“Zombie Jr.”
Joo Sang 'Zombie Jr.' Yoo is a 32-year-old South Korean featherweight who signed with the UFC off a performance on Dana White's Lookin' for a Fight, bypassing the Contender Series entirely. He knocked out Jeka Saragih in his UFC debut in June 2025 before being stopped by Daniel Santos four months later, and now looks for his second Octagon win against fellow bounce-back candidate Michael Aswell Jr.
- LDaniel Santos · KO/TKO (punches)UFC 320 · October 4, 2025
- WJeka Saragih · KO/TKOUFC 316 · June 7, 2025