UFC 331 live blog: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy

This is the UFC 331 live blog for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy, the five-round lightweight co-main event bout Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Tsarukyan and Ruffy head into tonight’s event hoping to secure an elusive title shot, with Tsarukyan currently tied at No. 2 with Ilia Topuria at 155 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, and Ruffy looking to rise from the No. 10 spot. On the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound charts, Tsarukyan is ranked No. 16.

Currently on a five-fight win streak, Tsarukyan (23-3) looks to earn another opportunity to capture lightweight gold after his UFC 311 championship chance ended in disaster. Tsarukyan was booked to fight Islam Makhachev, but was forced to withdraw a day before fight night due to a back injury and he has been clawing his way back since. He stayed in the win column with a dominant submission over Dan Hooker and has found success wrestling for RAF and with his rapidly growing social media profile, and looks to make his case undeniable with a strong performance Saturday.

Ruffy (14-2) is coming off of a spectacular first-round knockout over Michael Chandler at the historic UFC White House event this past June. The Brazilian striking specialist has won 13 of 14 fights by KO/TKO and can shake up the division if he puts down Tsarukyan.

Check out the UFC 331 live blog for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy below.

Preamble

Here we go, it’s time for Arman Tsarukyan to cement himself as the no-doubt, set-in-stone, guaranteed, bonafide, next challenger for Justin Gaethje. Nothing could go wrong, right?

Always tell me the odds

Tsarukyan expected to take care of business, he’s a -275 favorite on FanDuel. Ruffy the underdog at +225.

Round 1

Jason Herzog the referee for this five-round contest.

Both men very cautious, Tsarukyan flicks out a low kick. Ruffy with a glancing jab. A minute in and no takedown attempt from Tsarukyan. It looks like Ruffy is ready to launch an intercept knee. Lightning fast right by Ruffy, Tsarukyan felt that one.

Tsarukyan goes for a single leg, runs the pipe, and gets the takedown, but Ruffy immediately back up. High-level wrestling defense from Ruffy so far. Arman grinding Ruffy along the fence. The takedown defense is holding up, despite Tsarukyan’s best efforts. He has the body and he drives Ruffy down, but can’t keep him there. Sneaky fence grab by Ruffy to stay upright.

Nice elbow inside by Tsarukyan. Still, he’s not doing much with his wrestling other than holding Ruffy. Ruffy with an elbow as they separate. Tsarukyan ducks in for a takedown, but switches up to an elbow that lands flush. Ruffy is hurt bad, possibly out on his feet. Tsarukyan follows up with another elbow and now he’s definitely out on his back. Wicked knockout by Tsarukyan.

Official result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Mauricio Ruffy via first-round KO (elbows) (4:56)

Post-fight

Tsarukyan says he knows he needed a finish to secure the title fight and he knew he was going to get it.

He jokes that it’s either a title fight or Mark Zuckerberg next.