Arman Tsarukyan delivers a devastating statement at UFC 331, stopping Mauricio Ruffy with a pair of brutal elbows in the final seconds of the opening round.
The lightweight division takes center stage in the co-main event of UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, as No. 2-ranked Arman Tsarukyan faces the surging Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round showdown at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. With both men looking to move closer to a shot at the lightweight championship.
Arman Tsarukyan enters the fight riding a five-fight winning streak and returns to action for the first time since November. The Armenian contender owns wins over Dan Hooker and former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, giving him plenty of experience against elite opposition.
Ruffy, meanwhile, arrives with plenty of momentum of his own. The Brazilian is coming off a highlight-reel knockout of Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250 and now gets the biggest opportunity of his UFC career against one of the division’s top contenders.
Ruffy starts aggressively, looking to establish his striking range while Tsarukyan presses forward. Tsarukyan closes the distance and briefly ties Ruffy up against the fence, landing an elbow inside before the Brazilian fires back with one of his own. Tsarukyan then changes levels and looks for a takedown, but Ruffy defends well. Tsarukyan quickly switches his attack, landing a clean elbow that catches Ruffy flush and visibly hurts him. He follows with another devastating elbow as Ruffy falls backward, forcing referee to step in and stop the fight at 4:56 of the opening round.The victory gives Tsarukyan his sixth consecutive win and strengthens his position in the UFC lightweight title picture. After the stoppage, Tsarukyan calls for another shot at the 155-pound championship.
“I came here to save this city,” Tsarukyan said after his win. “Today, Los Angeles is going to have fun. I knew I was going to finish him. First elbow is from this coach, second elbow is from this coach. “[It has to be] title fight or Mark Zuckerberg, I want to fight you next.”
Another exciting fight on the UFC 331 card sees Arman Tsarukyan take on Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event. Doo Ho Choi starts by taking the center of the Octagon as both fighters patiently look to establish their distance. Choi lands a short uppercut on the inside before Pitbull answers with a body shot. Pitbull then mixes up his attacks, working the body before connecting with an overhand right.
Pitbull begins to find his rhythm, landing another overhand right and following it with a stiff jab as he continues to pressure Choi. Choi fires a quick combination and works behind his jab, but Pitbull keeps moving forward and increases his output. Pitbull continues mixing his punches between the body and head before unleashing a massive right hand that rocks Choi. Pitbull immediately senses the finish, swarms his opponent with follow-up punches as Choi covers up, and the referee steps in to stop the fight at 3:28 of the first round. Pitbull apologies for his past three fights, he says this is his real debut. He has a call-out and it’s none other than Jean Silva!
