Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy meet in one of UFC 331’s most important fights. Their five-round lightweight clash could reshape the championship picture. Tsarukyan brings elite wrestling, pressure and proven experience against top contenders. Ruffy offers explosive striking and the ability to finish a fight without warning.
The Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy prediction has also divided MMA analysts before Saturday’s co-main event. Bloody Elbow’s staff recently shared their picks for the fight. Their predictions highlight the same question surrounding this matchup. Can Ruffy keep the fight standing long enough to unleash his dangerous striking?
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy UFC 331 Fight Details
Tsarukyan enters UFC 331 with a 23-3 professional record and holds the No. 2 lightweight ranking. The Armenian contender has won five consecutive UFC fights. His latest Octagon appearance ended with a second-round submission victory over Dan Hooker in November 2025. He also owns a victory over former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
Ruffy enters the contest with a 14-2 professional record and sits at No. 7 in the lightweight rankings. Thirteen of his 14 professional victories have come by knockout. Both fighters successfully made weight on Friday. Tsarukyan weighed 156 pounds, while Ruffy officially weighed 155 pounds.
Bloody Elbow Staff Split on the UFC 331 Co-Main Event
Bloody Elbow’s staff predictions underline how difficult this matchup is to judge. Tsarukyan offers the safer route through wrestling and control. Ruffy presents the more immediate finishing danger whenever the fight remains standing. That contrast gives both fighters realistic paths to victory.
The predictions also reflect the biggest uncertainty surrounding Ruffy. His striking has already carried him into the lightweight top 10. However, Tsarukyan presents a wrestling challenge unlike Ruffy’s recent opponents. Saturday could answer whether Ruffy has developed enough to handle that pressure.
Arman Tsarukyan Brings a Major Wrestling Threat
Tsarukyan has developed into one of the UFC lightweight division’s most complete contenders. His wrestling remains his strongest weapon, but he rarely relies on simple takedown attempts. He mixes striking, level changes and pressure to force opponents into uncomfortable positions.
That approach could become particularly important against Ruffy. Tsarukyan can make him defend takedowns before opening his striking combinations. Even unsuccessful attempts could restrict Ruffy’s movement and offensive freedom. Understanding these different styles is also important when examining how UFC weight classes work.
Mauricio Ruffy Carries Serious Knockout Power
Ruffy brings a completely different threat into the UFC 331 co-main event. The Brazilian has recorded 13 knockout victories across his 14 professional wins. Nine of those victories have also ended during the opening round. Those numbers explain why Tsarukyan cannot become careless during striking exchanges.
Ruffy demonstrated that danger again against Michael Chandler in June 2026. He finished the former Bellator champion with a spinning back kick and follow-up punches. Tsarukyan has also acknowledged Ruffy’s punching power before their fight. One clean connection could quickly change the direction of Saturday’s contest.
Ruffy Has Changed Since the Benoit Saint Denis Loss
Ruffy’s biggest concern comes from his September 2025 defeat against Benoit Saint Denis. The French contender repeatedly disrupted Ruffy’s striking through grappling pressure. Saint Denis eventually secured the submission and exposed an important weakness in Ruffy’s game.
Ruffy responded by moving to Australia and joining Freestyle MMA. He now trains alongside Alexander Volkanovski under coach Joe Lopez. Ruffy has since stopped Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler. However, neither opponent tested his defensive wrestling like Tsarukyan should at UFC 331.
Can Mauricio Ruffy Stop Tsarukyan’s Takedowns?
Ruffy does not need to become a better wrestler than Tsarukyan. He simply needs enough defensive wrestling to keep creating striking opportunities. Strong first-layer takedown defense could force Tsarukyan to spend more time exchanging on the feet.
The harder challenge arrives when Tsarukyan begins chaining his attacks together. Ruffy must defend the initial shot, protect himself during scrambles and avoid extended cage control. Tsarukyan can repeatedly disrupt his rhythm without dominating every grappling exchange.
Five Rounds Could Favor Tsarukyan’s Pressure
UFC confirmed this lightweight co-main event will take place over five rounds. That gives Tsarukyan 25 minutes to repeatedly test Ruffy’s wrestling defense. Constant clinching and takedown attempts could also drain the Brazilian’s explosiveness as the fight progresses.
However, Tsarukyan does not expect the contest to last that long. He predicted before UFC 331 that he would only need a couple of rounds. Ruffy has made an equally confident prediction. The Brazilian believes he will knock Tsarukyan out and earn his championship opportunity.
Ruffy Can Make Tsarukyan Pay for One Mistake
Tsarukyan cannot simply shoot takedowns without setting them up. Ruffy possesses the speed and timing needed to punish predictable entries. Knees, uppercuts and kicks could become dangerous whenever Tsarukyan changes levels from distance.
That threat makes Tsarukyan’s striking important even if wrestling remains his primary weapon. He can use punches and kicks to force defensive reactions before attacking the legs. Ruffy must identify those transitions quickly without becoming too cautious with his own offense.
UFC 331 Could Reshape the Lightweight Title Picture
Tsarukyan already believes he has earned another opportunity near UFC lightweight gold. His current winning streak includes victories over Oliveira and Hooker. A sixth consecutive win against another ranked contender would strengthen that argument considerably.
Ruffy could make an even bigger rankings jump with an upset victory. Beating the No. 2 contender would give him the biggest win of his career. Fans unfamiliar with how those movements work can read our guide explaining the UFC ranking system.
Tsarukyan Has More Experience Against Elite Opposition
Tsarukyan’s experience represents another important difference between these contenders. He has already shared the Octagon with Islam Makhachev, Oliveira, Hooker, Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot. Those fights have exposed him to several different styles at the highest level.
Ruffy has climbed quickly but owns less experience against the lightweight elite. Chandler remains his biggest victory entering UFC 331. Facing Tsarukyan introduces another level of wrestling and positional pressure. How Ruffy handles those situations could reveal whether he is ready for championship-level opposition.
Why Ruffy Still Presents a Dangerous Matchup
Experience alone will not protect Tsarukyan from Ruffy’s offensive weapons. The Brazilian uses unusual angles and attacks that can punish even experienced opponents. His confidence has also increased following consecutive stoppage victories over Fiziev and Chandler.
Tsarukyan must therefore control the pace without becoming predictable. He cannot spend extended periods trading from Ruffy’s preferred range. The contrast also demonstrates why MMA demands a broader skill set than pure striking sports, something covered in our MMA vs boxing comparison.
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy Prediction
Tsarukyan has the more dependable path across five rounds. His wrestling can limit Ruffy’s striking opportunities while forcing the Brazilian to constantly defend. Tsarukyan also owns considerably more experience against proven lightweight contenders. Those advantages should become increasingly important if the fight moves beyond the opening rounds.
Ruffy remains capable of ending the fight with one clean attack. His improved camp also makes his defensive wrestling difficult to judge before Saturday. Still, Tsarukyan’s pressure and grappling give him more ways to control the matchup. Our prediction is Arman Tsarukyan to win by submission or decision.
Final Thoughts
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy is more than another ranked lightweight fight. Tsarukyan wants to remove any remaining doubt surrounding his championship credentials. Ruffy wants to prove his rapid rise belongs among the division’s elite. Both fighters also enter UFC 331 believing a convincing victory can lead toward the title.
The early wrestling exchanges could reveal where this fight goes. Ruffy becomes extremely dangerous if he repeatedly keeps Tsarukyan away from his hips. Tsarukyan gains the advantage if he establishes pressure and forces prolonged grappling exchanges. UFC 331 should finally provide important answers about both fighters’ places in the lightweight title race.
FAQs
When is Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy?
Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy on September 19, 2026. Their lightweight contest serves as the five-round UFC 331 co-main event in Los Angeles.
What is Arman Tsarukyan’s record before UFC 331?
Tsarukyan enters UFC 331 with a 23-3 professional MMA record. He also carries a five-fight UFC winning streak into the Ruffy matchup.
What is Mauricio Ruffy’s record before UFC 331?
Ruffy enters the fight with a 14-2 professional record. The Brazilian has recorded 13 knockout victories during his professional MMA career.
Is Tsarukyan vs Ruffy a five-round fight?
Yes. UFC officially scheduled Tsarukyan vs Ruffy as a five-round lightweight co-main event. Both fighters successfully made weight before the contest.
Who is predicted to win Tsarukyan vs Ruffy?
Our prediction favors Tsarukyan because of his wrestling, pressure and experience against elite opponents. Ruffy remains dangerous because of his exceptional knockout power.
