The UFC has officially booked a pivotal five-round lightweight co-main event for UFC 331, as Arman Tsarukyan is set to face Mauricio Ruffy on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The news, which was announced via UFC’s social media channels, comes after weeks of speculation that Tsarukyan would rematch former champion Charles Oliveira.
Tsarukyan will return to the Octagon for the first time since his dominant submission victory over Dan Hooker in November 2025. The win over Hooker marked his fifth consecutive victory, but he has since endured another long layoff from MMA competition.
Advertisement
Tsarukyan’s Grappling Sidequests
Despite his inactivity in the UFC, Tsarukyan has remained exceptionally busy outside the promotion. He has competed extensively in freestyle wrestling for the Real Fighters Association (RAF), amassing a 7-1 record. Most recently, he lost to retired UFC fighter Colby Covington at RAF 11 for the inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship.
He has also participated in submission-only grappling matches, recently facing Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria (via Happy Punch on X):
Advertisement
The Armenian-Russian contender has not fought in MMA since his November 2025 win over Hooker, which came after a 17-month hiatus following his split-decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia battles Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena (ABHA Arena) in Doha, Qatar, on November 22, 2025. (Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The matchup with Ruffy represents a significant opportunity for Tsarukyan to re-establish his place at the top of the lightweight division. He is currently ranked as the No. 2 contender and has won 10 of his last 11 UFC outings. A victory would likely solidify his position as the next in line for the title.
Advertisement
Ruffy’s Rise After Setback
For Mauricio Ruffy, this fight is a chance to catapult himself into the upper echelon of the division. Ruffy has rebounded since his first UFC loss, securing back-to-back knockout victories over Rafael Fiziev and, most recently, Michael Chandler (via UFC Español):
Ruffy’s lone defeat in the promotion came at the hands of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC Paris in September 2025, where he was submitted in the second round. That fight in particular revealed his glaring weaknesses in grappling.
Advertisement
However, Ruffy’s subsequent knockout wins have silenced some doubters and showcased his finishing ability.
Mauricio Ruffy lands a punch on Michael Chandler during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.Chris Graythen/Getty Images
This matchup against Tsarukyan represents the biggest test of his career, as Tsarukyan will undoubtedly test Ruffy’s abilities on the ground and against the fence.
With Justin Gaethje now holding the lightweight title, the winner of Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy will likely position themselves for a title shot. This five-round co-main event is a crucial eliminator in a stacked division.
Advertisement
UFC 331 is headlined by a flyweight title rematch between champion Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja, with the lightweight contenders serving as the co-feature. Tsarukyan will look to prove he is still the division’s top threat despite his lengthy layoff.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
