Ruffy Sees 'Straight Shot to Title' in Tsarukyan Fight

Mauricio Ruffy will face Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 331 co-main event on September 19 in Los Angeles, and Ruffy says a win puts him on a "straight shot to the title" in the lightweight division.

The pairing came together after Tsarukyan's expected matchup with Charles Oliveira fell apart. Ruffy stepped in on roughly 30 days' notice, and he's treating the short turnaround as a gift rather than a problem.

Why This Matchup Is a Stylistic Puzzle

Ruffy built his UFC reputation on violence, scoring 13 of his 14 career wins by knockout, including finishes of Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev and King Green. His only loss came against Benoit Saint Denis in Paris, where he got outgrappled and submitted. That loss is exactly why Tsarukyan is such a tricky assignment. Tsarukyan has spent the last 15 months immersed in wrestling and grappling competition rather than actual MMA fights, sharpening the exact tool that already exposed Ruffy once.

Ruffy isn't hiding from that history. "I've been working on this, putting myself out of comfort zone," he said during UFC 330 fight week in Philadelphia. He framed the fight as a personal test of how much he's actually improved on the mat, not a showcase for anyone else. "I'm here to become a better fighter," he said. "I'm still learning this sport, and I like what I'm seeing."

Despite the grappling threat, Ruffy isn't changing his approach. "I have a plan to knock my opponents out and that's what I'm going to do," he said. "It doesn't matter what comes from the other side. And like we like to say in Brazil, those who can do more, cry less."

What a Win Means for the Lightweight Title Picture

Beating Tsarukyan would be the biggest result of Ruffy's career and would put him firmly in the mix for a shot at champion Justin Gaethje, who isn't expected to defend the belt again until 2027. Ruffy referenced that timeline directly, saying both the UFC and Gaethje have already called this fight "a straight shot to the title." He was careful not to look past the task in front of him, though. "I don't want to underestimate the guy," he said, "but I get into the octagon aiming for a knockout. That's what I'm going to look for."

Betting Angle

Tsarukyan has opened as a clear favorite, with sportsbooks pricing him in roughly the -350 to -400 range and Ruffy sitting as a substantial underdog near +280 to +300. That number reflects the same concern Ruffy is publicly addressing: Tsarukyan's elite wrestling pedigree against a striker who has already been taken down and finished on the ground once in the UFC. For bettors, the entire fight hinges on where it happens. If Ruffy keeps this standing even in flashes, his knockout power makes him live at that price. If Tsarukyan gets top position early and often, the form he's shown in grappling competition over the last year suggests this could look a lot like the Saint Denis fight. Given the stakes, expect this line to move as fight week approaches and as fans weigh Ruffy's recent finishing streak against Tsarukyan's takedown resume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mauricio Ruffy fighting at UFC 331?

Mauricio Ruffy faces Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles.

Why is Arman Tsarukyan fighting Mauricio Ruffy instead of Charles Oliveira?

Tsarukyan was originally expected to fight Charles Oliveira, but that matchup changed and Ruffy stepped in on about 30 days' notice.

What happens if Mauricio Ruffy beats Arman Tsarukyan?

A win over Tsarukyan would move Ruffy into position for a shot at lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who is not expected to defend his title again until 2027.