Arman Tsarukyan knocks out Mauricio Ruffy and makes a major statement for a UFC title shot
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Armenian fighter Arman Tsarukyan (24-3) scored a spectacular victory in the co-main event of UFC 331 in Los Angeles. One of the leading contenders in the lightweight division knocked out Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy (14-3) in the final seconds of the opening round.
The fight ended at 4:56 of Round 1, just four seconds before the horn. Late in the round, Tsarukyan landed two powerful elbows from the clinch. The first badly rocked Ruffy, while the second sent the Brazilian crashing to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the fight immediately.
Until that moment, the contest had been highly competitive. Ruffy defended Tsarukyan’s takedown attempts well and landed several dangerous strikes on the feet, while Tsarukyan kept applying pressure, looked to mix in his wrestling and repeatedly pinned his opponent against the fence. However, one exchange in the closing seconds of the round completely decided the fight.
After the victory, Tsarukyan immediately made it clear what he wants next. Arman said he understood that he needed a finish to firmly establish his claim to a UFC championship fight. Following five consecutive victories before UFC 331, this knockout extended his winning streak to six fights.
Tsarukyan’s case for a title shot now looks stronger than ever. Before UFC 331, Dana White was unwilling to guarantee Arman a championship fight even if he defeated Ruffy, but Tsarukyan delivered exactly what was expected of him — stopping one of the division’s most dangerous strikers in the very first round.
It is also worth noting that legendary kickboxer Giorgio Petrosyan was in Arman Tsarukyan’s corner for the fight.
Tsarukyan’s next fight should be for the UFC lightweight title, regardless of who holds the belt by that point. Arman also stressed after the victory that a finish like this was exactly what he needed to secure his championship opportunity.
Another Armenian fighter, Edmen Shahbazyan, also earned a victory at the same event, defeating Brazil’s Brunno Ferreira. Shahbazyan won the three-round fight by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.
