Tsarukyan Says UFC Vowed Title Shot With Ruffy Win

Arman Tsarukyan says the UFC has told him a win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 locks up a lightweight title shot, and he says the fight only happened because his planned rematch with Charles Oliveira fell through.

Tsarukyan revealed the behind-the-scenes shakeup on the "Deep Waters" podcast, explaining that he had already agreed to run it back with the former UFC lightweight champion and was deep enough into camp in Armenia that he "started my training camp in Armenia" before the promotion called with a change of plans.

Why Did Tsarukyan and Oliveira Fall Apart as a Matchup?

The rematch with Oliveira was scrapped after the death of Oliveira's teammate, Allan Nascimento, according to Tsarukyan. He said the tragedy is what pushed the UFC to look for a new opponent for the UFC 331 co-main event, and that Ruffy's name came up shortly after. Tsarukyan said he accepted quickly, telling the podcast, "Because already in the camp and I need one fight, because this year I haven't fought, so I said, it's a good fight for me, so I took that fight." He was already well into fight preparation when the swap happened, not scrambling from scratch.

Tsarukyan has previously suggested Oliveira used his teammate's death as a reason to back out of the rematch, a claim that adds an edge to a matchup replacement that otherwise reads as a straightforward opponent swap forced by tragic circumstances.

What a Win Over Ruffy Means for the Title Picture

Tsarukyan says the promotion has assured him this fight is not just another appearance in the contender pack. "After this, for sure I'm fighting for the title," he said, describing what he's been told a victory over Ruffy will secure. That is a significant carrot for a fighter who has spent years knocking on the door of a lightweight title shot without getting the call.

For Ruffy, the assignment is the biggest step up in competition of his career, a chance to beat a longtime top contender and immediately insert himself into the same conversation. Beating a fighter the UFC has apparently earmarked as next in line changes his outlook overnight regardless of how the promotion handles the winner from there.

Betting Angle

Books will lean on Tsarukyan's résumé against the division's best here, and that reputation typically pushes him toward favorite status any time he is not fighting the champion himself. Bettors should watch line movement closely once oddsmakers factor in that Tsarukyan is not walking in on a compressed camp. He said himself he was already training before the opponent change, which undercuts any short-notice narrative that might otherwise inflate Ruffy's number. The more relevant betting question is how the market prices Ruffy's power and upside against a proven grinder who has rarely been finished, and whether the promise of a guaranteed title shot adds extra motivation on Tsarukyan's side heading into fight week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Arman Tsarukyan say about his fight with Mauricio Ruffy?

Arman Tsarukyan said the UFC told him a win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 guarantees him a lightweight title shot, and that the matchup came together after his planned rematch with Charles Oliveira fell apart.

Why did Arman Tsarukyan not fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 331?

Tsarukyan said the rematch with Charles Oliveira was scrapped after the death of Oliveira's teammate, Allan Nascimento, which led the UFC to find a new opponent, Mauricio Ruffy, for the UFC 331 co-main event.

Was Arman Tsarukyan on short notice for the Mauricio Ruffy fight?

No. Arman Tsarukyan said he had already begun training camp in Armenia for the Charles Oliveira rematch before the opponent change, meaning he had meaningful preparation time heading into the Mauricio Ruffy fight.