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Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy Set as UFC 331 Co‑Main with Title Path in Doubt

A win could push the victor toward a lightweight title shot with UFC officials declining to formally promise the next challenger.

Overview

  • The five‑round co‑main between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will take place at UFC 331 in Los Angeles this Saturday and is widely viewed as a potential title eliminator.
  • Coaches and teammates say the matchup favors Tsarukyan’s wrestling and fight IQ, with American Top Team coach Anderson Franca calling him Ruffy’s 'worst stylistic matchup.'
  • Ruffy countered by changing camps and working with Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya to sharpen his striking, and some veterans such as Michael Chandler publicly predict a possible upset.
  • Betting markets make Tsarukyan a large favorite and a promotional staredown that drew social‑media attention about the fighters’ listed heights has intensified pre‑fight scrutiny.
  • Tsarukyan has stressed that a decisive win is needed to secure a title shot after a roughly 10‑month ring layoff and a reported verbal assurance from UFC CBO Hunter Campbell, but UFC President Dana White has refused to formally guarantee the winner the next title defense.