Tsarukyan promotes RAF event. Photo: Press Release/X/RAF
As expected, Arman Tsarukyan was one of the big winners of UFC 331 , not only for what happened in the octagon. At the event held last Saturday (19), in California (USA), the feared Armenian confirmed his favoritism and delivered a brutal knockout to Mauricio Ruffy in the first round. The athlete's performance was so impressive that even Dana White had to give in and reconsider his opinion.
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It's no secret that the UFC president isn't particularly fond of Tsarukyan. In fact, many consider him the number one hater of the top lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) fighter, to the point of preventing him from fighting for the belt. And much of this is due to the athlete himself, who was scheduled to fight for the title in 2025, but withdrew from the fight against Islam Makhachev at the last minute due to injury.
And, since Arman had harmed the UFC, he was overlooked by several fighters in the lightweight division. From then on, the Armenian, even though he wanted the belt, had to accept facing opponents below him in the rankings. Therefore, to fight for the title, the athlete was under pressure to beat the dangerous Brazilian and would have to impress. As Tsarukyan shone, Dana finally gave in and released him from punishment.
"Yes. I made it clear that I didn't really like some of the things he did, but you know what? When you mess everything up, you go back and do everything right. He couldn't have had a better comeback, after the things he did that I didn't like at all. And then, to get there and have the performance he had…", said the club official.
“At the end of the round, I thought, ‘Oh, he’s going to have a tough night.’ But then, boom, came the elbow. Incredible. You look like an idiot sitting there saying Tsarukyan did everything wrong. He completely changed everything, made a total comeback, and couldn’t be in a better position than he is now,” he concluded.
Dana White at the Contender Series. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC
Watch Tsarukyan's knockout of Ruffy at UFC 331.
ARMAN KNOCKS MAURICIO RUFFY OUT COLD!!!
📺 #UFC331 on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/v7mDUuLQGI
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026
Nasty Elbow.
OUT. COLD.📺 #UFC331 on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/qMDy08kKSj
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026
Tsarukyan's history in MMA
Arman Tsarukyan , 29, is one of the best MMA fighters today. The Armenian began his career in the sport in 2015 and debuted in the UFC in 2019. Currently, he is ranked second in the company's lightweight division and dreams of a title fight.
In this sport, 'Ahalkalakets' built a record of 24 wins and three losses. His main victories were over Beneil Dariush , Charles do Bronx , Dan Hooker , Joel Álvarez, and Mauricio Ruffy.
Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.
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