Arman Tsarukyan has his Octagon return set in stone. As a substitute of the long-awaited and endlessly evasive UFC title shot he continues to pursue, the top-ranked light-weight will collide with rising contender Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles.
Outdoors of MMA, Tsarukyan has been on each type of facet quest possible in 2026. He hasn’t fought since a second-round submission of Dan Hooker in November. Over that point, Tsaurkyan, 29, has gone 7-1 in wrestling matches with Actual American Freestyle (RAF) and racked up a 3-0-1 report in submission grappling matches.
Commercial
Tsarukyan revealed on Monday’s “The Ariel Helwani Present” {that a} rematch towards Charles Oliveira was initially on faucet for his UFC return bout.
“I used to be imagined to battle with Charles, co-main occasion, 5 rounds,” Tsarukyan stated. “Then I went for my coaching camp, they usually, in two weeks, once I was within the mountains, referred to as me and stated, ‘We acquired a brand new identify for you. It is Ruffy.’ I stated, ‘OK. No downside.’
“I do not wish to pull out and await Charles, as a result of [it’s] LA, 5 rounds, it is a huge card, and I’ve not fought in very long time. I would like this battle, so yeah, that is all.”
The primary Tsarukyan vs. Oliveira battle befell at UFC 300 in April 2024. Tsarukyan defeated the previous light-weight champion by way of a hard-fought three-round cut up choice. Since then, Oliveira has gone 3-1 and captured the UFC’s ceremonial BMF title within the course of.
Commercial
Talking Monday, Tsarukyan claimed Oliveira declined the rematch due to the current demise of a pal, which prevented Oliveira from coaching. Now, nonetheless, Oliveira has already been linked to a possible battle towards two-time featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes, leaving Tsarukyan doubtful of what he was informed.
“I do not perceive. In three days, he is doing reside trainings and again within the camp, in all probability they already arrange a battle with Diego Lopes,” Tsarukyan stated.
“He was simply discovering an excuse, and I do not know — all people is completely different, yeah. To lose someone is so exhausting, however like, you can beat me and dedicate this victory to your pal. However you by no means know. After all, [if the choice is] preventing me or Diego Lopes, for certain he would choose Diego Lopes.”
For Tsarukyan, it isn’t as if he is damaged up concerning the Oliveira rematch failing to come back to fruition. His sights stay set on the undisputed crown presently held by Justin Gaethje.
Commercial
In accordance with Tsarukyan, per a current assembly with UFC CBO Hunter Campbell, a win over Ruffy ensures him the light-weight title shot he is lengthy sought. Moreover, he’ll take advantage of cash he is ever made within the Ruffy battle, which made the selection to remain lively all the better.
“It is completely different when your supervisor is telling you one thing that they had been informed, however whenever you sit with someone and shake their hand, it may be like that,” Tsarukyan stated.
“[Waiting for Gaethje] was an choice, however the best choice is to battle and keep lively. Particularly in LA, I’ve acquired to be profitable. I do know I am the perfect, so why should not I take the battle? I make good cash as effectively for this battle — good cash, hype, and No. 1 contender battle.”
