Arman benches Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira with thunderous knockout win at UFC 331 — ‘Title shot secured’
Crisis averted! Arman Tsarukyan, who spent the last two years of his MMA career in lightweight purgatory, appears to have finally earned another crack at the 155-pound crown after fumbling the bag in his first attempt at UFC 311 back in early 2025. Tsarukyan smashed and trashed fellow lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy in the UFC […]
Los Angeles, California - September 19, 2026 - Arman Tsarukyan, a former lightweight contender, stunned the MMA world with a devastating knockout victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, co-main event at Crypto.com Arena. The fight, which took place on September 19, 2026, marked Tsarukyan's resurgence after his previous attempt to challenge for the 155-pound title at UFC 311 proved unsuccessful early the following year.
Tsarukyan, nicknamed "The Batman," not only secured a win over Ruffy, but also demonstrated his potential to reclaim the UFC lightweight title. This performance came just months after a painful loss in his previous title shot against Ilia Topuria, as well as a loss to Charles Oliveira, both of whom have long been considered top contenders in the division.
Arman Tsarukyan expressed his excitement and gratitude following his victory, stating that he came to save Los Angeles and hinted at potential future opponents, including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. However, the UFC CEO, Dana White, has yet to confirm if Tsarukyan's title shot will be granted.
The sheer magnitude of the upset led to a surge in betting activity, with $14,181 being wagered on Mauricio Ruffy to win against Arman Tsarukyan, offering a $54,376 payout on Polymarket. This betting trend has left many questioning whether opinions on Ruffy's chances against Tsarukyan may be overestimating the Brazilian's capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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