Overview
- The UFC officially booked Arman Tsarukyan to face Mauricio Ruffy as the five‑round co‑main event at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles.
- Charles Oliveira withdrew from the planned rematch with Tsarukyan after the reported death of teammate Allan Nascimento, and Tsarukyan has publicly questioned that reason while media link Oliveira to a possible fight with Diego Lopes that is not confirmed.
- Tsarukyan says he met UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell and received a verbal handshake guarantee that a victory over Ruffy will earn him the next shot at the lightweight title, a non‑contractual assurance he says is enough for him.
- The fighter has taken commercial and training steps ahead of UFC 331, announcing an official nickname change to 'Batman,' a reported $200,000 walkout‑song arrangement with streamer N3on, and adding kickboxing legend Giorgio Petrosyan to his camp.
- Mauricio Ruffy is a rising knockout specialist and a win for either man would move them to the front of the lightweight title picture, making the Sept. 19 co‑main a pivotal contender matchup for the division.