Mauricio Ruffy has a chance to insert his name in the conversation for a shot at the UFC lightweight champion when he enters the octagon to battle Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC 331 on Sept. 19, and he jumped on the opportunity knowing the matchup is seen by many as a tricky one style-wise.
Ruffy is one of the most flashy knockout artists in UFC today, having scored 13 of his 14 MMA wins by knockout, including devastating finishes against Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev and King Green under the UFC banner. Ruffy’s sole defeat in the UFC came against Benoit Saint Denis, when he was outgrappled and tapped out in Paris in 2025. Tsarukyan poses a similar threat, especially after spending the last 15 months competing more in wrestling and grappling matches than MMA fights.
“[My opponent’s] plan is the same every time I fight, to come grab me and take me down,” Ruffy told the media during UFC 330 fight week in Philadelphia. “I’ve been working on this, putting myself out of comfort zone. I’m here to become a better fighter. I go tot he gym to try and get better and evolve, and this fight is an opportunity to show myself, not anyone else or fans, how my dedication has helped me. I’m still learning this sport, and I like what I’m seeing. Let’s continue to show that we continue to evolve.”
Ruffy expected the UFC to present him with “a great fight” after he floored Michael Chandler at the UFC White House card and finished previous opponents “in ways that people hadn’t beaten them before,” and the goal remains the same when he faces Tsarukyan in Los Angeles.
“I have a plan to knock my opponents out and that’s what I’m going to do,” Ruffy said. “I’m not saying I will knock them out, but I will always try to knock them out. I always have a plan to knock my opponents out and it doesn’t matter what comes from the other side. And like we like to say in Brazil, those who can do more, cry less.”
Tsarukyan was originally expected to face Charles Oliveira in his next bout, but that changed after Oliveira’s teammate Allan Nascimento passed away earlier this month. UFC champion Justin Gaethje is likely to defend his title in 2027, and beating a popular name in Tsarukyan could boost Ruffy straight into a championship fight next year.
“I think it’s going to be good for everybody to have all those eyeballs on the fight,” Ruffy said. “But you know, whenever we close those doors out there, it’s a fight, man. We just go at it. That’s why I accepted this fight. I’m very much just over 30 days’ notice. The UFC has said it, Justin Gaethje also said it, this is a straight shot to the title.”
“I don’t want to talk too much,” he continued. “I don’t want to underestimate the guy, but I get into the octagon aiming for a knockout. That’s what I’m going to look for. There’s no deal for me. There’s no agreement on this. I get into the octagon for that. And that’s what I want to do. That’s what I train for. And I’m going to be looking for the knockout the entire fight.”
