The UFC 331 co-feature fight on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is way more than just another lightweight bout, believe me. We’re talking about a potential title eliminator between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy, and one of these guys is leaving with a serious claim to a championship shot. This isn’t just a regular card, this is where careers get made.
Tsarukyan’s Comeback Trail and Ground Game Dominance
Arman Tsarukyan, with that impressive 23-3 MMA record and 10-2 in the UFC, is stepping back into the octagon for the first time since last November when he locked up Dan Hooker in a submission. Since then, he’s been grinding hard on the wrestling mats, sharpening his biggest weapon. This isn’t just some tune-up fight for him; this is his golden ticket to stake a solid claim for a lightweight title shot. He’s the favorite, too, with oddsmakers and the public putting him at -320 via FanDuel. MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom is picking Tsarukyan to force a stoppage by strikes by the start of Round 3, which tells you everything about the confidence in his finishing ability. You know he’s going to try and get Ruffy to the floor, and once he’s there, Tsarukyan has a clear pathway to win.
Ruffy’s Rise and The Odds Against Him
Don’t sleep on Mauricio Ruffy, though. This guy is on a two-fight winning streak, and we’re not talking about easy wins. He’s got stoppages over Rafael Fiziev, which earned him a sweet Performance of the Night bonus, and Michael Chandler. That Chandler win? It happened on a massive stage at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn. How wild is that? Ruffy, with his 14-2 MMA and 5-1 UFC record, is described as a “Brazilian Conor McGregor” who fights out of an orthodox stance. He’s got the style to punish a shorter Tsarukyan on his entries, and he’s even been sharpening his grappling with none other than Alexander Volkanovski. At 30 years old, you gotta expect him to show improvements. But here’s the kicker: Ruffy had a short-notice camp and a lot of travel, plus this is his first five-round affair. Those are some serious hurdles, especially when facing a guy like Tsarukyan. He’s the underdog at +245, but that just means the upset would be legendary.
What’s at Stake: A Shot at Greatness
This really is a potential title eliminator. Sure, it would’ve been even more cemented if the initial Charles Oliveira rematch had stayed on the books, but Ruffy still has a massive chance to “steal a proverbial base” with another highlight-reel victory. If he can pull off the upset, the lightweight division is going to be buzzing. Both fighters know exactly what’s on the line here, and that tension is going to make for an incredible fight. Make sure you’re tuned in to Paramount+ around 10:40 p.m. ET on Saturday to watch these guys walk to the cage. This is what we live for!
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.
Leave a Reply