Arman Tsarukyan knows that nothing in the fight game is guaranteed.
19 months ago, Tsarukyan was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311; however, during fight week, Tsarukyan suffered an injury that forced him out of the bout. Tsarukyan’s last-minute withdrawal and subsequent outside-the-cage issues led the UFC to pass him over for a title shot on several occasions, even after he weighed in as a backup fighter for the vacant title fight at UFC 317 and then finished Dana Hooker at UFC Qatar in November.
Now, Tsarukyan is set to face Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331 next month, and even if he wins, “Batman” knows that still might not ensure his next fight is for the belt.
“In this sport, not everything is guaranteed,” Tsarukyan told MMA Fighting. “You’ve got to be ready; you’ve got to beat [anyone]. If they give me one more fight, I’ll beat; 10 more fights, I’ll beat, and eventually I’ll become a champion.”
Tsarukyan had hoped that his next outing would be for the lightweight title; however, after Justin Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria at UFC White House to claim the belt, “The Highlight” made it clear he had no interest in fighting again in 2026. As such, Tsarukyan made the easy choice to stay active.
“I was waiting for the title fight, but Gaethje, he doesn’t want to fight this year, so they give me an opportunity to fight in my almost-hometown, in L.A., and I said yes,” Tsarukyan said. “Oliveira, I said yes. Unfortunately, he pulled out because of the situation with his friend, but Ruffy is a great fight, too. Wrestler vs. striker. I think the fans are going to love the fight, and I’m excited as well.”
The key for Tsarukyan is that he wants to stay busy. Despite his long layoff, Tsarukyan has not been sitting on his hands the past year, instead spending much of that time competing seemingly as often as possible, in both Real American Freestyle and various grappling competitions. But once he wins the lightweight title, Tsarukyan hopes to focus his activity in the octagon going forward.
“I wish I’m going to be active in UFC,” Tsarukyan said. “And when you’re champ, you can fight as much as possible. That’s why I become champion: stay active. I’m young and hungry. I’m not that big for 155, as well. I can cut weight and fight at least three times a year.”
UFC 331 takes place on Sep. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and is headlined by a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.
