Tsarukyan Gets Dangerous New Test

Arman Tsarukyan will face Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round co-main event at UFC 331 in Los Angeles next month, with a lightweight title shot likely on the line for the winner.

The Charles Oliveira rematch that had been widely reported is off. Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira in a closely contested fight at UFC 300, and a second meeting had been in the works for UFC 331 before the UFC pivoted to Ruffy instead.

Tsarukyan hasn't fought since submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last year. His route back to the title has been stop-start — most notably after withdrawing short-notice from a lightweight championship fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. He enters UFC 331 on a five-fight winning streak, with knockouts of Beneil Dariush and Joaquim Silva among the highlights.

Ruffy arrives in form. He has stopped Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler in back-to-back appearances this year. His only loss coming against Benoit Saint-Denis. He is one of the division's most dangerous finishers and represents a genuine step up in opposition.

Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who stopped Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, has no confirmed return date — meaning whoever wins at UFC 331 will be positioned to make a strong case for the next shot.