Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will face off in the UFC 331 co-main event this Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Here’s a concise analysis of their matchup from MMA Junkie’s analyst Dan Tom.
Recent performance: 1 win, 5 losses
UFC main card record in 2026: 101 wins, 60 losses, 1 draw
Preview: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is making his return to the octagon for the first time since last November, where he secured a submission victory over Dan Hooker. He has since focused extensively on wrestling but now faces a crucial chance to solidify himself as a top contender for the lightweight title with a major victory.
Ruffy (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) comes into this fight on a two-fight winning streak, having stopped both Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler. The win over Fiziev earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, while his victory against Chandler took place in a high-profile event at UFC Freedom 250 held at the White House lawn.
Expert Prediction and Pick for UFC 331
This co-main event could serve as a lightweight title eliminator between Tsarukyan and Ruffy. While it might have held more significance had the initial plans for a Charles Oliveira rematch remained, Ruffy still has a chance to dramatically change the landscape if he upsets Tsarukyan with another electrifying performance.
Ruffy, often compared to a Brazilian Conor McGregor and fighting from an orthodox stance, has a style well-suited to exploit Tsarukyan’s shorter reach on his entries. Additionally, Ruffy has been enhancing his grappling skills training with Alexander Volkanovski, suggesting improvements are on the horizon for the 30-year-old.
However, Ruffy’s extensive travel and relatively short-notice preparation for his first five-round fight might pose significant challenges. Given Tsarukyan’s clear advantage on the ground, the favorite seems difficult to oppose in this contest.
Prediction: Tsarukyan will secure a technical knockout via strikes before the start of Round 3.
UFC 331 Odds for Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy
Betting markets favor Tsarukyan, who is listed at -320, while Ruffy is the underdog at +245 according to FanDuel.
Fight Time and Broadcast Information
As the event’s co-main, the Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy matchup is expected to begin around 10:40 p.m. ET and will be available to stream live on Paramount+.
This article was originally published on MMA Junkie as “Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy prediction, pick, time for UFC 331.”
Fan Take: This showdown is pivotal because it could determine the next legitimate lightweight title challenger, adding significant stakes to the UFC 331 event. A compelling fight like this not only elevates the fighters’ profiles but also keeps fans invested in the ongoing evolution of the lightweight division.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
