Arman Tsarukyan’s new opponent has officially been announced. The No. 2-ranked lightweight will face Brazilian fighter Mauricio Ruffy, who currently occupies the No. 7 spot in the division.

Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy will serve as the co-main event of UFC 331, which will take place on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The bout is scheduled for five rounds.

Tsarukyan was originally expected to face Charles Oliveira, but the former UFC champion withdrew from the fight for personal reasons. Ruffy stepped in as Oliveira’s replacement. The Brazilian holds a professional record of 14 wins and two losses, while Tsarukyan has 23 victories and three defeats. Oliveira is believed to have withdrawn from the event following the death of his friend and fellow UFC fighter Allan Nascimento.

Another fighter of Armenian descent, Edmen Shahbazyan, will also compete at the event. He will face Brazilian fighter Bruno Ferreira in a middleweight bout. Notably, UFC identified Shahbazyan with the Armenian flag in an official announcement for the first time.

Full UFC 331 Card: Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy, Van vs. Pantoja

UFC has officially unveiled the full fight card for UFC 331, which will take place on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The main event will feature a flyweight title fight between reigning champion Joshua Van and No. 1-ranked contender Alexandre Pantoja.

In the co-main event, No. 2-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan will face No. 7-ranked Mauricio Ruffy. The five-round bout was arranged after Charles Oliveira withdrew for personal reasons.

Edmen Shahbazyan will also compete at the event. UFC identified him with the Armenian flag for the first time. His opponent will be Brazilian fighter Bruno Ferreira.

Main Card

Flyweight title fight

Joshua Van — champion vs. Alexandre Pantoja — No. 1

Five-round lightweight bout

Arman Tsarukyan — No. 2 vs. Mauricio Ruffy — No. 7

Featherweight

Patricio Pitbull — No. 15 vs. Choi Doo-ho

Lightweight

Renato Moicano — No. 10 vs. Brian Ortega — No. 11

Light heavyweight

Alonzo Menifield — No. 14 vs. Iwo Baraniewski

Heavyweight

Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf

Bantamweight

Marlon Vera — No. 10 vs. Charles Jourdain

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight

Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne

Middleweight

Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Bruno Ferreira

Featherweight

Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Brito

Flyweight

Casey O’Neill — No. 12 vs. Eduarda Moura — No. 13

Middleweight

Ryan Gandra vs. Ozzy Diaz

Featherweight

Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Yoo Joo-sang