Arman Tsarukyan states that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has told him his next fight will be for the title against champion Justin Gaethje, ahead of Ilia Topuria, following a first-round knockout win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.
UFC 331 Victory Sets Up Lightweight Title Picture
Arman Tsarukyan solidified his position in the 155-pound division by defeating Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy via a first-round knockout at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. Following the win, Tsarukyan took to social media to declare his title opportunity secured. Speaking to media outlets after his performance, the Armenian contender stated that promotion executives confirmed he would receive the next championship opportunity against Gaethje. “The bosses are very happy with my performance. After this we are going to have the title opportunity, they told me ‘yes’,” Tsarukyan said.
Division Rankings and Competing Claims
Despite Tsarukyan's assertions, the official division standings remain fluid. Specialized media rankings and automated classification systems continue to list Tsarukyan at number two in the lightweight division, while Ilia Topuria retains the top contender spot. Topuria, who previously fought for the title at the White House event, has returned from a brief social media hiatus to campaign for a rematch against Gaethje. Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White addressed the division’s immediate future during the post-event press conference, noting that management is still evaluating the champion’s plans. “I don’t know, we don’t know what Gaethje is thinking yet, he saw the fight and let’s see what he’s thinking,” White explained.
Champion’s Perspective and Future Options
Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje faces multiple contenders as he evaluates his next step in the sport. Speaking on the Flagrant podcast, Gaethje acknowledged that Tsarukyan sits at the front of the line for a mandatory defense. “It’s not that I don’t want to fight Arman. Without a doubt, he is next in line if I defend this title and when I decide to do so. He will be my opponent then. But I still don’t have it clear,” Gaethje detailed. The champion also mentioned that a matchup against Conor McGregor, who has one fight remaining on his promotional contract, remains an intriguing alternative. UFC leadership has praised Tsarukyan’s turnaround following a missed title opportunity against Islam Makhachev in early 2025, with White noting that the contender has recovered his standing within the organization.
