Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan made a statement against Mauricio Ruffy, knocking him out with a pair of elbows in the UFC 331 co-main event Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The finish came at the 4:56 mark of the first round.
Arman Tsarukyan just KNOCKED OUT Ruffy COLD inside 1 ROUND with N3on in his corner. #UFC331 pic.twitter.com/7GhZHmbgeT
— intrnxt (@intrnxt) September 20, 2026
Tsarukyan, the No. 2-ranked fighter at 155 pounds, could be next in line for a title shot after yet another impressive performance. Justin Gaethje dethroned Ilia Topuria at the UFC's White House event in June and has yet to schedule his first title defense.
Tsarukyan has won six in a row dating back to 2022, including victories over former champion Charles Oliveira and Dan Hooker.
Ruffy was coming off a first-round TKO win against Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250. The Brazilian is 2-2 in his last four Octagon appearances.
