Overview
- The UFC has officially scheduled Arman Tsarukyan to face Mauricio Ruffy as the five‑round co‑main event for UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
- Charles Oliveira did not take the fight after the UFC confirmed the death of his Chute Boxe teammate Allan Nascimento, a development that commentators say changed the planned rematch.
- Mauricio Ruffy is a rising Brazilian knockout artist with recent high‑profile finishes, including a win over Michael Chandler, and he has publicly said he will pursue a knockout in this fight.
- Fighters and pundits including Daniel Cormier praised Tsarukyan for accepting the late replacement, saying taking a dangerous five‑round test bolsters his claim for a title shot even though the UFC has not formally labeled it an eliminator.
- With current champion Justin Gaethje expected out for the rest of the year and Tsarukyan’s split‑decision win over Oliveira at UFC 300 still unresolved, the bout reshapes the lightweight picture and could determine the next challenger.