On Saturday night at UFC 331, Arman Tsarukyan landed some of his hardest hits not only in the cage but also by slapping Dana White and Hunter Campbell five times each with such intensity that both had to shake off the impact. If his knockout of Mauricio Ruffy was a trial run for a shot at the lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje, Tsarukyan clearly passed with flying colors.
As Ruffy lay dazed on the mat—after being taken down by two powerful elbows that Joe Rogan famously dubbed a trip to the “shadow realm”—Tsarukyan climbed over the cage and did the Discount Double Check celebration, staking his claim as the next rightful contender. Despite being dismissed previously in favor of Ilia Topuria in the race for the lightweight title shot, Tsarukyan has firmly reasserted himself, silencing doubts that had built up after Topuria accused Gaethje of suspicious conduct at UFC Freedom 250.
Tsarukyan’s past provocations—such as a scuffle with a fan en route to his cage walk against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, dropping out of a title fight with Islam Makhachev at the last minute during UFC 311, and a controversial head-butt on Dan Hooker during faceoffs in a prior eliminator—now serve merely as sparks amid the blaze he ignites with his fighting skills. These incidents have become integral to the full Arman Tsarukyan experience, complementing his formidable in-ring performance.
With six consecutive wins and four finishes in his recent streak—two of which carried the immense pressure of title stakes—Tsarukyan has solidified his position as an undeniable force in the lightweight division. Much like Ciryl Gane had a winding path to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champ, Tsarukyan’s knockout of the division’s leading finisher, Ruffy, earns him unquestioned contender status.
Dana White acknowledged Tsarukyan’s growth during the post-fight press conference saying, “Arman made mistakes but he’s corrected them. Look where he stands now. It’d be foolish to say he’s done anything wrong since then—he’s turned everything around and couldn’t be in a better spot.”
However, Gaethje himself has not been openly supportive of Tsarukyan’s rise. His dismissive comments add fuel to the rivalry, making the prospect of their eventual matchup all the more compelling. Notably, Gaethje replaced Tsarukyan’s opportunity to fight in an interim title bout against Paddy Pimblett when the UFC launched its Paramount+ era—a spot many believed was Tsarukyan’s to claim.
Gaethje capitalized on that chance, defeating both Pimblett and Topuria and becoming a top Fighter of the Year candidate. Now anticipated to be out until early 2027, Gaethje has positioned himself as the division’s gatekeeper. Before UFC 331, he showed little sympathy for Tsarukyan, criticizing him for dropping out of the Islam Makhachev title fight, attributing it to weight issues rather than injury.
Since then, Tsarukyan has earned respect as a symbol of meritocracy, competing even outside the UFC in organizations like RAF. Saturday’s bout with Ruffy, a powerful Brazilian striker known for explosive finishes, was the latest hurdle and a crucial test. Despite a nasty cut under his eye from Ruffy’s shots, Tsarukyan controlled much of the first round by defending takedowns before ending the fight with two brutal elbows just as the round ended.
Those strikes effectively erased past grudges and established a new hierarchy—leaving only one fight left to make.
“Justin Gaethje never says my name because he’s scared,” Tsarukyan said after the fight. “He wanted Ruffy to knock me out, meaning he’s avoiding me. He might try to push Topuria or demand $15 million for me, retire, or mess around with some nonsense. He either fights me or has to give the title to the young contenders. We have a lot of contenders now.”
Indeed, none have made a more convincing case recently than Tsarukyan. With the past behind him, he’s laser-focused on reclaiming the position stolen from him—and the man who took it.
There’s something undeniably compelling about a fighter who refuses to be denied.
Fan Take: This development is huge for fight fans because Tsarukyan’s rise injects fresh drama and legitimacy into the lightweight title scene, promising an explosive showdown with Gaethje that could redefine the division. His story of redemption and resilience exemplifies the heart of modern MMA, reminding us why matchups aren’t just about skill, but also about respect, rivalry, and redemption.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
