Tsarukyan On Ruffy Win Not Guaranteeing Title Shot

Arman Tsarukyan has made peace with the fact that beating Mauricio Ruffy next month will not guarantee him a lightweight title shot.

Tsarukyan was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the belt at UFC 311 last year, but a fight-week injury forced him out. The UFC passed him over for subsequent title opportunities despite his backup role at UFC 317 and a finish of Dan Hooker in Qatar last November. Now he faces Ruffy in the UFC 331 co-main event on September 19 in Los Angeles.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 331 on Ticketmaster →

Tsarukyan Ready To Fight His Way To Gold

"In this sport, not everything is guaranteed," Tsarukyan told MMA Fighting. "You've got to be ready; you've got to beat [anyone]. If they give me one more fight, I'll beat; 10 more fights, I'll beat, and eventually I'll become a champion."

Tsarukyan hoped his next bout would be for the title, but Justin Gaethje made clear he would not fight again in 2026 after upsetting Ilia Topuria at UFC White House to claim the belt. Tsarukyan chose to stay active instead of waiting. He initially accepted a fight with Charles Oliveira, who withdrew due to a personal situation involving a friend.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 331 on Ticketmaster →

The Armenian has stayed busy outside the octagon during his layoff, competing in Real American Freestyle and grappling tournaments. Once he wins the lightweight strap, he wants to defend it at least three times a year. "I'm young and hungry," he said. "I'm not that big for 155, as well."

UFC 331 takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, headlined by a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Arman Tsarukyan knows a win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 doesn’t guarantee him a title shot