Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy: UFC 331 Co-Main Event Preview
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Cited: MMA Junkie, MMA Mania, MMA Fighting
TL;DR
Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy collide at UFC 331 in a lightweight title eliminator, with Ruffy upgrading his camp and Tsarukyan dismissing any advantage.
Why now
UFC 331 airs this Saturday, September 19, 2026, and the co-main event carries heavy title implications for the winner to face Justin Gaethje.
Agree / conflict
Ruffy believes his training with champions Volkanovski and Adesanya has made him a different fighter, while Tsarukyan counters that his own skills are superior everywhere and those partners are irrelevant.
Takeaway
Tsarukyan is the betting favorite and likely to impose his wrestling, but Ruffy’s dynamic striking and camp changes introduce real uncertainty early in the fight.
The narrative leading into UFC 331 centers on two distinct paths to championship contention. Mauricio Ruffy, who knocked out Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler in his last two outings, has made a radical camp change by joining Alexander Volkanovski’s team in Australia. Ruffy admits this move pushed him out of his comfort zone and made him “a different person.” He emphasizes the need to stay active and evolve beyond his flashy striking style.
Arman Tsarukyan, meanwhile, projects unshakable confidence. He considers himself the uncrowned champion after missing a title shot due to injury in 2025. Tsarukyan’s wrestling and ground-and-pound have been dominant, and he sees Ruffy’s star-studded camp as irrelevant: “You cannot compare Adesanya with me, and you cannot compare Volkanovski with me.” He expects early danger in the first round but believes he can take over as the fight progresses. The betting lines reflect that sentiment, with Tsarukyan a heavy favorite by knockout or submission.
FAQ
What is the significance of the Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy fight?
It is a lightweight bout at UFC 331, likely a title eliminator for the winner to face champion Justin Gaethje.
Who are the betting favorites?
Arman Tsarukyan is the heavy favorite at -340, while Mauricio Ruffy is the underdog at +250 (via FanDuel Sportsbook).
Why did Ruffy change training camps?
He joined Freestyle MMA in Australia to train with Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya, seeking to improve his overall game and comfort with different concepts.
How does Tsarukyan view Ruffy’s camp changes?
Tsarukyan is unimpressed, stating that Volkanovski and Adesanya are completely different fighters from him and that he is better everywhere.
What is Tsarukyan’s recent record?
Tsarukyan is on a five-fight winning streak, with his last loss in 2022. He recently beat Dan Hooker by submission in November 2025.
What could derail Ruffy’s game plan?
Ruffy’s tendency to be overly aggressive with flashy kicks and jump knees left him vulnerable to takedowns in his loss to Benoît Saint-Denis, a weakness Tsarukyan’s elite wrestling can exploit.
Sources
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