When it comes to giving Arman Tsarukyan the next lightweight title shot, it feels like UFC CEO Dana White is trying to wait him out, sort of how White kept throwing contenders at Movsar Evloev until he ran out of warm bodies. That’s why Tsarukyan has to hold the 155-pound line and keep winning until matchmakers exhaust all possible non-Arman options.
Like Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 this weekend in Los Angeles.
“If I lose this fight, I’m never going to see a title fight,” Tsarukyan said on YouTube. “That’s
why I’m super motivated for this fight, super hungry. I’ve been working so hard for that moment. I never underestimate [Ruffy], especially his striking. I’ve got to be so smart during the fight because he has a good punch, so he’s knocked out a lot of people. Now it’s my time. I have a good game plan. It’s going to work very well. I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy fight. It’s going to be a hard fight but I [will] get the victory.”
Ruffy (14-2) has 13 knockouts in 14 wins.
Tsarukyan (23-3) has been in White’s doghouse since early 2025 following the UFC 311 debacle in Los Angeles. Since then, the title has changed hands multiple times and now rests with Justin Gaethje, who is ready to defend against “Ahalkalakets” at the end of 2026 (or early 2027). That would require a victory at UFC 331 and a commitment from White, which may be harder to get than a win over Ruffy.
