Arman Tsarukyan confident handshake deal will lead to title shot with UFC 331 win
Arman Tsarukyan is out of the UFC doghouse and back at the front of a line for a lightweight title shot. All he has to do is get past Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19th. In a new interview with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan revealed that he’d been told by UFC […]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - August 14, 2026 - Arman Tsarukyan, the Georgian lightweight fighter, is back and better than ever after a brief stint in the UFC's doghouse. Recently, Tsarukyan revealed in an interview with Ariel Helwani that a victory at UFC 331 would secure him a title shot against the current lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje.
UFC CBO Hunter Campbell personally assured Tsarukyan of this opportunity during a handshake, which further solidified the fighter's confidence. Tsarukyan chose to fight at UFC 331 over a potential waiting game against Gaethje, as the event featured a highly anticipated flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.
He highlighted the benefits of staying active and earning good money for the fight, ultimately deciding that a win would be the best course of action. Tsarukyan's recent bout since a weight cut-related incident at UFC 311 has been a win against Dan Hooker. However, trouble arose when he headbutted Hooker during weigh-ins, causing injury and jeopardizing the bout.
He also turned down a fight against Mateusz Gamrot, leading to an extended absence in 2026. Tsarukyan's past behavior, including an altercation at a fan event, has been a concern for UFC management. Nevertheless, he is now focused on his future, with Mauricio Ruffy awaiting his next challenge. With a victory at UFC 331, Arman Tsarukyan is set to face the UFC lightweight title contender.
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