UFC 331 Co-Main Event: Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy Official
The UFC has officially announced that lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will return to the Octagon at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles, but not against the opponent many expected. Instead of a rematch with former champion Charles Oliveira, Tsarukyan will face surging Brazilian striker Mauricio Ruffy in the five-round co-main event at the Intuit Dome.
The fight was confirmed Wednesday as part of the full card reveal, which is headlined by a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja. Tsarukyan (22-3) enters the bout on a five-fight winning streak, including a dominant submission win over Dan Hooker last November in Qatar. Ruffy (14-2) has won four of his five UFC fights, with back-to-back knockouts over Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler earlier this year.
The UFC’s pivot away from a Tsarukyan-Oliveira rematch comes after weeks of speculation that the two would run back their controversial UFC 300 clash. The promotion had reportedly been working on the matchup, but those plans were scrapped for reasons not officially disclosed. With a likely title shot on the line for the winner, the stakes are high for both men.
Why This Fight Matters: The Road to the Lightweight Title
Tsarukyan has long been considered the consensus number one contender in the lightweight division, yet his path back to a title opportunity has been riddled with delays. He was scheduled to challenge then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, but pulled out on short notice due to injury, which halted his momentum. That withdrawal, followed by a slow recovery, allowed other contenders to step into the spotlight.
The win over Hooker in November was a statement performance, but Tsarukyan has not competed since. By booking him in a five-round fight against a dangerous, rising opponent, the UFC is giving him a chance to prove he deserves the next title shot. A convincing win over Ruffy would be difficult to ignore, especially with current champion Justin Gaethje keeping a close eye on the division.
Ruffy, a Dana White’s Contender Series standout, has quickly become one of the most exciting lightweights in the UFC. His knockout power and aggressive style have made him a fan favorite, and this will be his first five-round fight. The Brazilian’s lone UFC loss came against Benoit Saint-Denis in September, but he has rebounded with two spectacular finishes. He now has the opportunity to jump the line and potentially leapfrog other contenders with a win over Tsarukyan.
The matchup is intriguing because it pits Tsarukyan’s elite wrestling and pressure against Ruffy’s explosive striking and finishing ability. Tsarukyan has shown he can grind out wins against top-tier opponents, but Ruffy has the kind of one-punch power that can change a fight in an instant. This stylistic clash should provide a compelling co-main event.
Dustin Poirier’s Claim Adds Fuel to the Tsarukyan-Oliveira Debate
In the lead-up to the fight announcement, former UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier stirred the pot by claiming that Tsarukyan was “saved” by a clothing malfunction in his first fight against Oliveira. Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, Poirier recalled the moment in their UFC 300 matchup when Oliveira had Tsarukyan locked in a deep guillotine choke. Tsarukyan escaped, but Poirier insists it was only because his shorts slipped down, breaking Oliveira’s guard.
“Coming from a guy who knows how to miss guillotines, (Oliveira) would’ve got the guillotine if those shorts wouldn’t have slipped off,” Poirier said. “The shorts coming off saved him from being guillotined.”
Tsarukyan won that fight by split decision, but Poirier’s comments have reignited debate about whether Tsarukyan truly deserved the win. While most fans and media scored the fight for Tsarukyan, the close nature of the decision and the controversial choke have kept the conversation alive. The rematch would have settled the score, but now fans will have to wonder what might have been.
Despite the controversy, Tsarukyan has moved on, and his focus is now on Ruffy. The Armenian fighter has maintained his place in the rankings and continues to be a top contender, but he has faced criticism for being a “loose cannon” after incidents like punching a fan at UFC 300 and a brawl at a wrestling event. Those antics, combined with his withdrawal from UFC 311, have raised questions about whether the UFC can trust him with a title shot.
What This Means for the Lightweight Division
The Tsarukyan-Ruffy matchup is arguably the most significant lightweight fight of the second half of 2026, as it could determine the next challenger for Justin Gaethje’s title. Gaethje, who defeated Ilia Topuria at the White House earlier this year, has yet to have his return date and opponent confirmed. The winner of UFC 331’s co-main event would have a strong claim to that shot.
For Tsarukyan, a win would solidify his position as the top contender and erase lingering doubts about his reliability. For Ruffy, a victory would be a meteoric rise, propelling him from unranked prospect to title contention in just two years. The UFC likely hopes that this fight will produce a clear number one contender, avoiding the muddled picture that has plagued the division since Makhachev moved up in weight.
The shift away from Oliveira is also notable, as Oliveira is still a major draw and former champion. The UFC may be saving that rematch for a later date, perhaps for a future title fight or a pay-per-view headliner. For now, the promotion is betting on the excitement of a new matchup to generate buzz in Los Angeles.
As the fight night approaches, predictions are mixed. Tsarukyan is the more experienced fighter with a well-rounded skill set, but Ruffy has shown the ability to finish anyone on any given night. The five-round format could favor Tsarukyan’s cardio and wrestling, but Ruffy’s early power cannot be discounted. This is a true litmus test for both men, and the result will have major implications for the lightweight title picture.
With UFC 331 also featuring the flyweight title rematch and a stacked undercard, the event promises to be a pivotal moment for multiple divisions. All eyes will be on the co-main event to see who takes a major step toward championship glory.
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