Arman Tsarukyan Knocked Out Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331
Arman Tsarukyan secured a title fight opportunity against Justin Gaethje following his quick victory in Los Angeles.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Arman Tsarukyan defeated Mauricio Ruffy by first-round knockout at UFC 331. The win earned Tsarukyan a future title fight against Justin Gaethje, as confirmed by Dana White.
Why it matters
The victory cements Tsarukyan's position at the top of the division while clarifying the championship landscape. His path to the title depends on the recovery of Justin Gaethje, who remains sidelined following injuries from his previous bout.
Tsarukyan ended the bout in the first round by landing two decisive elbows to the temple of Mauricio Ruffy. The win maintains his momentum as he prepares for a future challenge against Justin Gaethje.
The players
Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan is a professional mixed martial artist who earned a title shot following his recent victory.
Mauricio Ruffy
Mauricio Ruffy is a professional fighter who faced defeat at UFC 331.
Dana White
Dana White is the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship who oversees the promotion's division rankings.
Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje is a top-ranked fighter currently recovering from injuries sustained against Ilia Topuria.
Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev is a professional fighter who served as a corner support member for Tsarukyan.
The details
Tsarukyan utilized two precise elbows to the temple to stop Ruffy early in the opening round. Corner support for Tsarukyan during the bout included N3on and Khamzat Chimaev.
Timeline
UFC 331 took place in Los Angeles on September 19-20, 2026.
Justin Gaethje is targeting a return to competition no earlier than early 2027.
Season Trajectory
This knockout significantly alters the divisional landscape by establishing a clear mandatory challenger for the championship. The outcome forces the promotion to wait for Gaethje's recovery to finalize the next major title bout.
Tsarukyan has officially locked in his status as the next challenger for the division title once the champion is ready to return. Bettors and fantasy players should note his proficiency in ending bouts early via knockout strikes.
The takeaway
Tsarukyan's ability to finish opponents in the first round highlights his status as a elite-level threat in the weight class. Fans should expect a lengthy build-up to the title fight as the promotion waits for the former contender to return from injury.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the division, see our Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Khel Now.
