Arman Tsarukyan is out of the UFC doghouse and back at the front of a line for a lightweight title shot. All he has to do is get past Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19th.
In a new interview with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan revealed that he’d been told by UFC CBO Hunter Campbell that a win would earn him a title shot against current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Campbell is the man running the UFC show these days, and having his personal assurance was enough for “Batman” to feel secure in his position.
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“I flew there, I talked to him,” Tsarukyan said. “It’s different when your manager is telling you something that they told him. But when you sit with somebody and shake their hand, it’s going to be like that.”
Tsarukyan claimed he could have just waited for Gaethje but didn’t want to pass up on the opportunity to fight on a big card like UFC 331, which features the long-awaited flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.
“[Waiting] was an option, but the best option is to fight and stay active,” Tsarukyan said. “And especially in L.A., I’ve got to be winning. I know I’m the best, so why shouldn’t I take the fight? I make good money as well for this fight. Everything’s good: money, hype, and No. 1 contender fight.”
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It hasn’t always been this good for Tsarukyan in the UFC. He’s had one bout since a bad weight cut pulled him from a lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 back in January 2025. He beat Dan Hooker in November 2025 but pissed off management by headbutting Hooker during the weigh-ins, breaking his nose and jeopardizing the fight.
He then turned down a fight against Mateusz Gamrot, leading to his extended absence in 2026. That seemed fine by Tsarukyan. He filled his time doing side quests and building up his social media presence to the point where he’s one of the hottest names in the sport … no thanks to the UFC, who have treated him more like an annoyance than a prospect.
When you’re punching fans in the crowd during your walkout, can you really blame them? That’s now in the past, though. Mauricio Ruffy is in Arman Tsarukyan’s future. And with a win — a shot at the UFC lightweight title.
