Tsarukyan Gets Dangerous New Test

Arman Tsarukyan will face Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round co-main event at UFC 331 in Los Angeles next month, with a lightweight title shot likely on the line for the winner.

The Charles Oliveira rematch that had been widely reported is off. Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira in a closely contested fight at UFC 300, and a second meeting had been in the works for UFC 331 before the UFC pivoted to Ruffy instead.

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Tsarukyan hasn't fought since submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last year. His route back to the title has been stop-start — most notably after withdrawing short-notice from a lightweight championship fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. He enters UFC 331 on a five-fight winning streak, with knockouts of Beneil Dariush and Joaquim Silva among the highlights.

Ruffy arrives in form. He has stopped Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler in back-to-back appearances this year. His only loss coming against Benoit Saint-Denis. He is one of the division's most dangerous finishers and represents a genuine step up in opposition.

Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who stopped Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, has no confirmed return date — meaning whoever wins at UFC 331 will be positioned to make a strong case for the next shot.