TLDR
- Joe Rogan declared Arman Tsarukyan the number one lightweight contender after his knockout win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331
- Tsarukyan finished Ruffy with two consecutive standing elbows in the co-main event
- The UFC has not announced the next lightweight title challenger, with Ilia Topuria also mentioned as a possible opponent for champion Justin Gaethje
- Tsarukyan is scheduled to compete in RAF wrestling events in October and November in Abu Dhabi
- Khamzat Chimaev will headline RAF’s debut Abu Dhabi show on November 14 as part of a five-year deal
Sources: yardbarker.com | talksport.com | mmafighting.com
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes Arman Tsarukyan earned the next lightweight title shot after his knockout victory at UFC 331. Tsarukyan stopped Mauricio Ruffy with standing elbows in the co-main event.
“Get that man a title fight,” Rogan said during the broadcast. “There’s nothing else to say. That is, right there, the No. 1 contender in the world. No ifs, ands or buts about it.”
The finish came when Tsarukyan landed two consecutive standing elbows that dropped Ruffy. Rogan called the knockout spectacular and said he could not recall the last time a standing elbow produced a finish of that caliber.
“He knocked Ruffy into the shadow realm with two elbows,” Rogan said on the broadcast.
Tsarukyan’s Long Wait for a Title Shot
Tsarukyan has waited longer than most top contenders for his championship opportunity despite victories over highly ranked opponents. He previously accused current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje of avoiding him.
GIVE ARMAN TSARUKYAN THE TITLE SHOT!!pic.twitter.com/IawZ8HpwWR
— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint) September 20, 2026
The Armenian fighter told reporters that Gaethje would try to dodge a matchup with him. The UFC has not announced who will face Gaethje next for the lightweight title.
Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has also been mentioned as a possible opponent for Gaethje’s lightweight belt. This creates uncertainty about whether Tsarukyan will receive the title shot despite Rogan’s endorsement.
RAF Wrestling Event in Abu Dhabi
Tsarukyan is set to compete in a wrestling event just weeks after his UFC victory. He will compete at RAF’s debut show in Abu Dhabi on November 14.
The event is part of a new five-year deal between RAF Wrestling and the Department of Culture and Tourism. Khamzat Chimaev will headline the card against an opponent to be announced later.
“Arman will be wrestling in Abu Dhabi,” RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein confirmed. “Kyle Snyder will be wrestling in Abu Dhabi, Jordan Burroughs is wrestling in Abu Dhabi, Sadulaev is wrestling in Abu Dhabi.”
Tsarukyan is scheduled to face Dillon Danis in the main event of RAF 14 in October before competing in Abu Dhabi. This means he will have at least two wrestling matches between his UFC 331 victory and any potential title fight.
Chimaev lives five minutes from the venue where the event will take place. “Abu Dhabi’s going to be crazy,” Chimaev told MMA Fighting. “Arena will be five minutes from me, from my house.”
Former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo is also expected to wrestle at the Abu Dhabi event. The promotion will also host its first RAF Next Gen event in the area.
RAF has previously held successful shows in Georgia and Moscow before expanding internationally. The Abu Dhabi event marks the promotion’s first show in the Middle East under the new partnership agreement.
The UFC has not provided a timeline for when Gaethje will defend his lightweight championship. Tsarukyan’s busy wrestling schedule could impact his availability for a potential title fight in the coming months.
