White Intervenes On Tsarukyan After Ruffy Faceoff

Dana White stepped in to separate Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy during their first faceoff Friday at the UFC 331 press conference in Los Angeles.

The two lightweights meet Sept. 19 in a title eliminator on a card headlined by Joshua Van defending his flyweight belt against Alexandre Pantoja. When Ruffy extended a fist at the staredown, White moved between them the moment Tsarukyan walked forward, MMA Fighting reports, and had both fighters pulled apart before contact.

Tsarukyan's History of Faceoff Incidents

Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker at their final staredown before UFC Qatar last year, cementing a reputation for pre-fight theatrics. White was not willing to risk a repeat with a main-card eliminator on the line.

The Van-Pantoja faceoff turned chippy as well after the two argued throughout the press conference, with Pantoja trying to confront the champion earlier in the session.

UFC 331 takes place Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Dana White intervenes to prevent faceoff shenanigans between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy