Arman Tsarukyan Defeated Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331

The No. 2 lightweight contender secured a decisive victory in Los Angeles.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Arman Tsarukyan Defeated Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331

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Arman Tsarukyan defeated No. 10 ranked lightweight Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. The fight concluded when Tsarukyan knocked out Ruffy using elbow strikes in the first round.

Why it matters

The win solidifies Tsarukyan's position as a top contender in the division as he pursues a championship opportunity. He currently holds the No. 2 rank and has set his sights on a title fight early next year.

Arman Tsarukyan maintains his standing as the No. 2 title contender, while Mauricio Ruffy occupies the No. 10 spot in the lightweight division rankings. The victory took place during the numbered UFC 331 event.

The players

Arman Tsarukyan

He is a professional mixed martial artist currently ranked as the No. 2 title contender in the UFC lightweight division.

Mauricio Ruffy

He is a professional mixed martial artist from Brazil who holds the rank of No. 10 lightweight fighter.

Justin Gaethje

He is the reigning UFC lightweight champion who serves as the target for top-ranked contenders.

The details

During the final seconds of the first round, Tsarukyan pinned his opponent against the cage before finishing the bout with a series of elbow strikes. The knockout performance ended the contest before it could progress further.

September 20, 2026: The fight took place in Los Angeles.
Early 2027: Tsarukyan expects to participate in a title fight.

Season Trajectory

This win reinforces the current hierarchy of the UFC lightweight division and narrows the field for the championship path. By defeating a top-10 fighter, Tsarukyan remains firmly in the mix to challenge Justin Gaethje for the belt in the coming months.

Tsarukyan continues to maintain his high ranking, which effectively keeps him in the mandatory queue for a future lightweight title opportunity. Meanwhile, Ruffy will likely see his positioning adjusted downward following the first-round knockout loss.

The takeaway

Tsarukyan has positioned himself as the clear next challenger for the lightweight championship title. Fans should monitor his upcoming schedule to see who he faces to fulfill his goal of a title fight in early 2027.