UFC Legend Confirms Original Plan for Arman Tsarukyan’s Return After Sudden Mauricio Ruffy Announcement

Daniel Cormier believes that the initial opponent selected for Arman Tsarukyan was not Mauricio Ruffy before UFC 331 booking.

UFC Legend Confirms Original Plan for Arman Tsarukyan’s Return After Sudden Mauricio Ruffy Announcement

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy was not the original plan (Image via MMA Fighting/UFC.com)

Dana White and the UFC brass has remained hesitant in booking Arman Tsarukyan after the UFC 311 withdrawal. UFC 331 will see the return of the Armenian superstar against #10 ranked Mauricio Ruffy. This was a surprise considering many reports suggested that Charles Oliveira was next for Tsarukyan.

After all, new lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is likely to sit out the rest of 2026 after competing twice in the first two quarters. The promotion also hesitated to give Tsarukyan the next title shot considering Oliveira was in the mix as well for a rematch against Gaethje.

Gaethje facing either Oliveira or Tsarukyan would have given UFC a lucrative title fight, but they needed to wait till 2027 to book it. New matchups needed to be booked to keep the division afloat, but no one saw Tsarukyan vs Ruffy coming.

Now, UFC legend and commentator, Daniel Cormier, gave insider details about the original plan after having spoken to the Armenian contender.

Arman Tsarukyan told me in Abu Dhabi it was going to be him and Oliveira. No BMF title, it was going to be him and Oliveira fighting in Los Angeles… Unfortunately Charles’ teammate passed away, and that’s why, I believe at least, we’re not getting that fight. Obviously, the guys down there, Oliveira and their team are so close. So, I think that’s why we are not getting that Charles fight.

Daniel Cormier via his YT Channel

Oliveira’s teammate, Allan Nascimento, passed away this week at the age of 34. He had a 4-2 record in the UFC and fought in June of this year in the Apex Arena. Having a training camp suddenly for a bout in September when UFC 331 is scheduled for is too much for ‘Do Bronx’ and his team.

Hence, the promotion pivoted to Tsarukyan vs Ruffy in Los Angeles fight card. Tsarukyan collaborates with JAXXON podcast and Santo Studio on a regular basis, which is based in California. As such, the rising popularity of Tsarukyan could attract the LA crowd for UFC 331.

On top of pulling out of UFC 311 at the last minute, Tsarukyan had an altercation with a fan at UFC 300 and headbutted Dan Hooker before their bout at UFC Qatar last year. These incidents have made the #2 ranked lightweight contender into an unreliable asset for the UFC brass.

Facing either Ilia Topuria or Paddy Pimblett would have been better for Arman Tsarukyan due to the name recognition. However, Cormier knows why the Armenian superstar settled for Ruffy as his next opponent.

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Daniel Cormier explains why Arman Tsarukyan had to take whatever was offered to him

The news of UFC 331’s co-main event received a mixed reaction from the MMA community. Some felt that Arman Tsarukyan deserved a higher ranked opponent, and others felt he deserved the next title shot. However, Dana White and the UFC brass doesn’t work like that.

Daniel Cormier speaks about Arman Tsarukyan
Daniel Cormier speaks about Arman Tsarukyan (Image via MMA Fighting/Threads)

The promotion has a history of promoting active fighters and risk takers above others. The best recent example is Diego Lopes, who has had two featherweight title shots and the opening spot at the UFC Freedom 250 event.

Tsarukyan pulling out of UFC 311 at the last minute in early 2025 still leaves a bad taste in the UFC brass’ mouth. As such, he has to take whatever is being offered to him. Daniel Cormier explained this in detail on his YouTube channel.

The main issue holding back his title shot was how the last scheduled fight with Islam Makhachev went down. But now, saying yes to anyone under any situation makes him the guy everyone wants to work with. If Arman wins this, it definitely guarantees him a championship opportunity.

Daniel Cormier via his YT Channel

Ruffy offers a threat in the striking department, but Tsarukyan can implement a wrestling gameplan to counter it. Last year, Ruffy lost to Benoit Saint-Denis, who grappled him from the first minute. As such, the same path to victory exists for the ever improving Tsarukyan at UFC 331.

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