UFC 331 Sends All 24 Fighters Through Weigh-Ins, Clearing 125-Pound Title Rematch

Q: What hidden reliability issues plague Arman Tsarukyan as he steps into UFC 331's high-stakes lightweight title eliminator against Mauricio Ruffy?

Arman Tsarukyan’s hidden issue is not talent but dependability. Even as he made weight for UFC 331, the UFC has lingering concerns about whether he can be trusted to reach the cage in the biggest moments. That skepticism traces mainly to UFC 311, when Tsarukyan withdrew from his scheduled lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev shortly before weigh-ins. He cited a back injury, but that explanation has been publicly doubted, most notably by Justin Gaethje, who suggested the real problem may have been a failed weight cut. There is no definitive proof that Tsarukyan pulled out because of weight, but the suspicion itself has damaged his standing with the promotion. His inactivity has added to that perception. Since that aborted title shot, Tsarukyan has fought only once over a long stretch, which has made it harder for the UFC to build around him as a reliable next champion. Additional reports have also pointed to backstage altercations and other “doghouse” concerns that contributed to doubts about his professionalism, even if recent coverage suggests he is beginning to work his way back into favor. So while Tsarukyan enters on a five-fight winning streak and remains one of the division’s most complete contenders, the unanswered question is operational, not technical: can he stay healthy, manage the cut, and avoid last-minute disruption when the stakes are highest? UFC 331 is as much a test of his reliability as of his skill against Mauricio Ruffy.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Sep 18

All 24 scheduled fighters made weight at Friday’s official UFC 331 weigh-ins in Southern California, clearing every bout for Saturday’s card at Crypto.com Arena.
125 pounds was the key mark in the main event, where flyweight champion Joshua Van and former champion Alexandre Pantoja both hit the limit for their title rematch.
156 pounds for Arman Tsarukyan and 155 for Mauricio Ruffy locked in the five-round lightweight co-headliner, with the winner potentially moving into title contention.
The finalized card also includes Patricio Freire vs. Dooho Choi, Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf, and heavyweight matchup Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne across the main and preliminary bouts.