UFC 331 live blog: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy

UFC 331 is set to feature a thrilling lightweight co-main event bout between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The five-round fight will determine which fighter is best positioned to secure a highly coveted title shot. Tsarukyan, currently tied for No. 2 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 155 pounds, and Ruffy, aiming to climb from No. 10, both have their eyes on the lightweight title.

Tsarukyan enters the bout on a five-fight win streak, having secured a dominant submission victory over Dan Hooker just prior to UFC 311. However, Tsarukyan's UFC 311 title shot did not materialize due to a back injury that forced him to withdraw a day before the fight. Despite this setback, Tsarukyan has continued to clinch wins, most recently defeating Dan Hooker by submission.

His impressive performance in the octagon, coupled with his rapid rise in social media prominence, has positioned him as a strong contender for the lightweight championship.

Ruffy, meanwhile, has been making waves with his explosive striking and knockout power. Since June, he has dismantled Michael Chandler with a first-round knockout, showcasing his ability to adapt and rise to the challenge. Ruffy boasts an impressive 13-0 record, with 13 of his 14 wins coming by way of KO or TKO. If he can replicate his knockout prowess against Tsarukyan, he could upset the division's current order and earn himself a spot atop the lightweight rankings.