Arman Tsarukyan Reveals Emotional Reason for Wanting Quick Finish at UFC 331

The Personal Stake Behind the Octagon Return

Heading deep into the late-summer fight calendar, elite mixed martial artists must carefully balance championship aspirations with personal logistics. For Tsarukyan, returning to active competition following an absence since last November brings unique family dynamics into play. According to an interview conducted by Chael Sonnen for UFC on Paramount+, the Armenian contender admitted that his father experiences anxiety while watching his bouts. Consequently, the fighter plans to shorten the duration inside the cage rather than risk a gruelling 25-minute war.

“I don’t need 25 minutes,” Tsarukyan stated during the Paramount+ interview. “I’m going there [to] make [the] job easy and quick. So, because my dad back at home… I don’t want him to be nervous, you know, [by the fight being] so long.”

This protective sentiment follows a memorable family moment from Tsarukyan’s previous outing at UFC Qatar, where he submitted Dan Hooker in under nine minutes. Cageside for that event, Nairi Tsarukyan memorably climbed into the octagon post-fight to celebrate, even playfully attempting a takedown on his son’s coach in a clip that went viral across digital platforms.

Tactical Assessment and Roster Adjustments

The matchup at the Crypto.com Arena came together after original plans for a five-round, non-title bout between Tsarukyan and former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira fell through. Oliveira withdrew from the anticipated rematch following the passing of his close teammate, UFC flyweight fighter Allan Nascimento, prompting promotion matchmakers to pivot.

Accepting Ruffy as a replacement opponent to maintain activity, Tsarukyan offered a blunt tactical evaluation of the Brazilian powerhouse. According to comments made during his interview with Sonnen, the 29-year-old views Ruffy as a more dangerous proposition than Oliveira due to raw striking capabilities. While Ruffy has only been finished once in his UFC career—via submission against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris in 2025—he has since rebounded with consecutive knockout victories over Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler.

“Ruffy is more dangerous. He has, like, powerful hands,” Tsarukyan said. “But, like, Oliveira, he has only grappling. He cannot knock me out. He cannot choke me. So there is no chances to Oliveira beat me.”

Chasing Lightweight Gold in Los Angeles

Tsarukyan’s path to the division’s summit has been defined by decisive finishes, most notably his 64-second knockout of Beneil Dariush prior to the Hooker submission. Although his submission win in Qatar did not immediately yield a title shot, a rapid victory against Ruffy at UFC 331 would reaffirm his standing at the top of the division before the promotion crowns its next champion in the evening’s main event, which features Joshua Van defending his flyweight belt against Alexandre Pantoja.

Whether Tsarukyan can bypass a deep-water battle and deliver the swift finish his father desires will be answered inside the Crypto.com Arena next month, directly impacting the immediate hierarchy of the UFC lightweight division.