MMA
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Charles Oliveira 2 cancelled as Tsarukyan set for new UFC 331 fight
Published
12 hours agoon
Credit: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLCArman Tsarukyan will face a new rival in the UFC 331 co-main event as the promotion pivots away from a Charles Oliveira rematch.
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will have to wait a bit longer for a potential lightweight title shot.
Tsarukyan, who hasn't fought since submitting Dan Hooker last year at UFC Qatar, was rumored to fight BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira at UFC 331 next month. Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira in a closely contested matchup at UFC 300 earlier in their careers.
After his short-notice withdrawal from his fight against then-UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, Tsarukyan's path back to the title has hit multiple delays. In recent weeks, it was reported by multiple outlets that the UFC was working on a rematch between Tsarukyan and Oliveira at UFC 331.
But after the UFC's recent fight card announcement, Tsarukyan will fight a new name in the UFC 331 five-round co-main event.
Arman Tsarukyan booked for five-rounder vs. streaking contender in new UFC 331 matchup
The UFC announced on Wednesday that Tsarukyan will face surging lightweight Mauricio Ruffy (14-2-0) at UFC 331 next month in Los Angeles. The fight will be contested over five rounds, with a likely title shot on the line for the winner.
Ruffy returns to the Octagon after back-to-back knockouts against Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler earlier this year. The Dana White's Contender Series standout is 5-1 in his UFC tenure, with the lone misstep coming against Benoit Saint-Denis in September.
Tsarukyan enters UFC 331 on a five-fight winning streak since a unanimous decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022. He's earned knockouts of Beneil Dariush and Joaquim Silva during his current streak.
UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will likely keep a keen eye on the UFC 331 co-main event. After defeating Ilia Topuria at the White House, Gaethje's return date and opponent remain uncertain.
UFC 331 is headlined by a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja at the Intuit Dome.
What is your prediction for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
Darren Elkins reveals why hes walking away after UFC Vegas 120
Published
8 minutes agoon
August 6, 2026
Elkins wants to ride off into the sunset on his own terms.
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran is set for his
retirement fight against Yadier Dell Valle at
UFC Vegas 120, taking place at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Aug.
8.
‘I did it my way': Darren Elkins reflects on career ahead of
retirement bout
The 42-year-old revealed that he has been contemplating retirement
for quite some time, as his body is no longer what it once was.
After more than a decade and a half in the UFC, Elkins wants to lay
down his gloves inside the Octagon rather than announce his
retirement on social media.
“I'm older in age now,†Elkins said at media day. “But mostly, I'm
starting to get hurt now a little bit more often. Training all the
time is taking a toll on my body more than it used to. It's time;
I've been contemplating it for a while… I've always wanted to leave
my gloves in the Octagon; most people don't get that chance.â€
Elkins went 19-11 in the UFC, delivering some of the most violent
fights in featherweight history. Not one to trash talk, “The
Damage†also received respect from his opponents. In a sport where
fighters often cross boundaries and use gimmicks to sell fights,
Elkins is proud to have gone about his business with respect.
“I haven't had too many guys that have ever disrespected me in this
career,†Elkins said. “They know who I am, they know what I'm
about, they know I'm going to bring it. I didn't always get the
results I want, but they knew they were going to be in a fight… I
never had to talk crap about my opponents. I did it my way. I did
everything my way. Most people can't say that.â€
MMA
Yair Rodriguez returns against Jean Silva in Noche UFC 4 main event
Published
3 hours agoon
August 6, 2026
MMA
Bo Nickal vs. Olympic champion Shirvani Muradov set for RAF Moscow
Published
6 hours agoon
August 6, 2026
Nickal will remain active on the wrestling mats while awaiting
his next
Ultimate Fighting Championship bout.
The UFC middleweight has been booked for another Real American
Freestyle matchup, as the promotion recently announced that Nickal
will face Olympic gold medalist Shirvani Muradov.
Bo Nickal prepares for Real American Freestyle matchup against
2008 Olympic gold medalist Shirvani Muradov
Nickal has booked another RAF appearance shortly after his RAF 12
bout with Max McEnelly, which will take place on Aug. 22. He will
face Muradov in Moscow on Sept. 5, according to an announcement
from RAF on X.
Nickal last competed at
UFC Freedom 250, where he earned a first-round victory over
Kyle
Daukaus to extend his winning streak. Instead of waiting for
his next fight, Nickal is continuing to hone his wrestling
skills.
The 30-year-old made his RAF debut at the promotion’s inaugural
event in August 2025, defeating Jacob Cardenas on points. This new
challenge could be a difficult one for Nickal. Muradov previously
won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Games in
Beijing in the 96kg (212 pounds) category. He also has far more
experience than the American collegiate wrestling standout.
RAF Moscow streams live on Fox Nation on Sept. 5.
3x NCAA Champ and Dan Hodge Trophy winner
Bo
Nickal will face Olympic Champ Shirvani Muradov SEP 5 at RAF
MOSCOW.Tickets coming soon. Join the presale list at the link in bio.
Watch live on @foxnation in the
U.S. Additional international broadcast details to be announced.
pic.twitter.com/YCyQiP4thk— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA)
August 4, 2026
Darren Elkins reveals why hes walking away after UFC Vegas 120
Yair Rodriguez returns against Jean Silva in Noche UFC 4 main event
Bo Nickal vs. Olympic champion Shirvani Muradov set for RAF Moscow
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