Arman Tsarukyan dropped an absolute bomb on the lightweight division Saturday night, landing a brutal knockout on Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement, a clear sign that Tsarukyan is ready for the biggest stage, and the fight game might have a new top contender heating things up for 2027.
The Brutal Finish That Sealed the Deal
Nobody saw this coming quite like it played out. Tsarukyan, now sporting a stellar 24-4 record and riding a six-fight win streak, went toe-to-toe with Ruffy, who came in at 14-3. Ruffy, the 30-year-old Brazilian striker, stepped in on just a month’s notice for Charles Oliveira, and he actually started strong. He made the 29-year-old Armenian work hard for takedowns and even landed a straight right that caused some serious swelling under Tsarukyan’s right eye. You could see Tsarukyan having to lean on his wrestling and grappling, which isn’t always the fastest path to a finish. Ruffy even popped right back up after an early takedown, showing that grit.
But Tsarukyan stayed patient, just like he said he would. With mere seconds left in the first of a scheduled five rounds, Tsarukyan had Ruffy pressed against the cage in a standing clinch. He then unleashed a devastating left elbow to the eye that knocked Ruffy unconscious. The follow-up right elbow dropped him completely, forcing referee Jason Herzog to jump in instantly and stop the fight at 4:56. It was a thudding, undeniable finish in Crypto.com Arena, leaving no doubt who was the superior fighter that night.
Undeniable Contender: Title Fight or Mark Zuckerberg
This win wasn’t just about putting another notch on the belt; it was about the title. Tsarukyan, despite only fighting once in the last 29 months due to pulling out of a 2025 rematch with Islam Makhachev and a 155-pound title shot due to a back injury in January 2025, has clearly been building something special. He’s transformed himself into a social media star, and the Los Angeles crowd showed him love, receiving him like one. After the fight, his message was loud and clear: “Of course, for my next fight, the title fight, I needed that finish and I knew that I would finish him. It was a little difficult at first but I knew that I had five rounds and that my time was going to come. I was patient.” He even jokingly added, “Title fight or Mark Zuckerberg, I want to fight you next,” showing that he’s ready for anyone.
With UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje not expected back in the Octagon until next year, Tsarukyan’s brutal finish makes him a virtually undeniable choice for that next shot. This is huge for the lightweight division. Tsarukyan has put himself in pole position, and he’s not messing around. We’re looking at a serious contender who just proved he can finish fights with electrifying power. Get ready for a massive lightweight title fight next year, because Tsarukyan just punched his ticket.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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