Arman Tsarukyan will face an unusual challenge after facing Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331; find out why.

Arman Tsarukyan at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/armantsarukyan

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Arman Tsarukyan hasn't even stepped into action at UFC 331 yet , scheduled for September 19th, and he already has a fight lined up after the event. Set to face Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship card, the Armenian fighter will also have a new challenge at RAF 14, scheduled for October 3rd.

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A familiar face in grappling events, Arman Tsarukyan enjoyed an eight-fight winning streak until being stopped by Colby Covington at RAF 11. Although he has already returned to the win column by submitting Indian influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria at Hype FC, the Armenian seeks to regain his prestige in grappling events outside of the UFC.

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Arman Tsarukyan is ranked second in the lightweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Arman Tsarukyan 's career took a significant turn after the Armenian fighter withdrew from his fight against Islam Makhachev with just one day's notice. Scheduled for the main event of UFC 311 , the American Top Team athlete claimed injury during his weigh-in preparation and was replaced by Renato Moicano for the event held in January 2025. Since then, he has faced a period of declining prominence in the organization.

Despite being ranked at the top of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), Tsarukyan saw the division advance without his presence in the most important fights. With Makhachev's move up to welterweight (up to 77 kg), the scenario seemed favorable, but the Armenian ended up out of the title fight at UFC 317 , when Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira and won the title.

Tsarukyan returned to the octagon in December 2025 and defeated Dan Hooker by submission, but the result was not enough to put him back on the path to the title. Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje gained ground, winning the interim title against Paddy Pimblett and later unifying the belt by defeating Topuria.

Now, with a scheduled duel against Mauricio Ruffy , Arman Tsarukyan hopes that a victory over the Brazilian could put him on a collision course with champion Justin Gaethje.

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