At Zuffa Boxing’s event in Dublin on Saturday night, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Arman Tsarukyan’s initial opponent for the UFC 331 co-main event in Los Angeles on September 19 fell through, prompting the promotion to book Mauricio Ruffy on short notice.
Dana White confirms fight shake-up
During a post-bout interview with Nina Drama, White addressed rumours about Tsarukyan’s late opponent change. When asked if Mauricio Ruffy had been the first choice to face the Armenian contender, the UFC boss replied: “No. His original fight fell out. There you go.” White added his own enthusiasm for the new matchup, describing it as “very” exciting. His acknowledgement marks the first official confirmation that the co-main event at the Crypto.com Arena has been reshaped by unforeseen circumstances.
Original booking and circumstances
Earlier this week, the UFC unveiled a 13-bout lineup for UFC 331, headlined by a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja II. Among the announced fights was a lightweight showdown pitting Arman Tsarukyan against former champion Charles Oliveira in Los Angeles on September 19. That plan collapsed after the shock death of Oliveira’s teammate Allan Nascimento, who suffered a fatal heart attack on August 3. With the Brazilian camp in mourning, the promotion moved swiftly to secure a replacement opponent and preserve the integrity of the co-main event slot.
Title implications for Tsarukyan
Tsarukyan, on a five-fight winning streak, has pursued a lightweight title opportunity for several years. The division’s crown is now held by Justin Gaethje, and Tsarukyan has expressed hopes of challenging for gold in 2027. On paper, defeating #10-ranked Mauricio Ruffy might not guarantee an immediate title shot. However, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has relayed that UFC executives promised Tsarukyan a championship bout if he accepts and wins the late-notice fight. That assurance underscores the stakes surrounding the UFC 331 co-main event.
White’s confirmation of the original opponent’s withdrawal brings clarity to a late-breaking change on the UFC 331 card, and shines a spotlight on Tsarukyan’s path within the lightweight division.
FAQ
Who was Arman Tsarukyan originally set to face at UFC 331?
He was initially expected to rematch Charles Oliveira as part of the 13-fight UFC 331 lineup in Los Angeles on September 19.
Why did the original fight fall through?
The matchup with Oliveira was cancelled following the sudden death of his teammate Allan Nascimento, who died of a heart attack on August 3.
Who is Mauricio Ruffy?
Mauricio Ruffy is the #10-ranked lightweight who stepped in on short notice to challenge Tsarukyan in the UFC 331 co-main event at Crypto.com Arena.
What is at stake for Tsarukyan against Ruffy?
According to reports, Tsarukyan was promised a title shot against champion Justin Gaethje in 2027 if he defeats Ruffy, making the bout crucial for his championship aspirations.
