Number one contender Arman Tsarukyan is flat out puzzled. The dude just cannot wrap his head around why he isn’t squaring off against Charles Oliveira at UFC 331 on September 19. The fight was the original plan for the co-main event, set for five rounds at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, but now Tsarukyan is set to meet Mauricio Ruffy instead.
The Original Plan Got Flipped, And Tsarukyan Is Not Happy
Tsarukyan, currently the No. 1 contender in the UFC lightweight division with a 23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC record, was deep in his training camp when the rug got pulled out. He confirmed on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that a rematch with Oliveira was more than just a rumor; it was the real deal. He was in the mountains, two weeks into camp, when the call came in: “We got a new name for you. It’s Ruffy.” Tsarukyan took it, saying “OK, no problem,” because he didn’t want to bail on a big card in L.A., especially since he hadn’t fought in a long time and needed to get back in the octagon.
Oliveira’s “Excuses” Aren’t Flying With Tsarukyan
The official word Tsarukyan got was that things changed after the death of UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento, who was Oliveira’s friend and teammate. But Tsarukyan isn’t buying it. He thinks Oliveira is using it as an excuse to dodge him, pointing out that Oliveira has continued training and has even been seen streaming live on TikTok. Tsarukyan was blunt: “Charles’ friend died, and he cannot train, but I don’t understand. In three days or four days, he’s doing live streams and, like, back in the camp.” He suspects Oliveira might even already have a fight set up with Diego Lopes. Tsarukyan figures anyone would pick Lopes over him if given the choice.
Tsarukyan hasn’t gotten official word from the UFC brass that Oliveira is, in fact, fighting Diego Lopes. That’s just his gut feeling, but Lopes did post a photo last week with UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, captioning it “#155,” which definitely hints at a lightweight move. Tsarukyan’s original booking with Oliveira wasn’t for the BMF title, but he suspects the UFC will book Oliveira vs. Lopes for that very belt. Tsarukyan will fight Ruffy at UFC 331, but the lingering questions about Oliveira definitely add some extra fire to the lightweight division’s top contender.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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