In a thrilling display at UFC 331, Arman Tsarukyan delivered a brutal knockout of Mauricio Ruffy, solidifying his claim for a lightweight title shot. The fight, held at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, saw Tsarukyan (24-4) extend his win streak to six, finishing Ruffy (14-3) with devastating elbows just four seconds before the first round ended.

Initially set to fight former champion Charles Oliveira, Ruffy stepped in on short notice and started strong, even landing a right hand that caused noticeable swelling under Tsarukyan's eye. Despite the early challenge, Tsarukyan showcased his grappling skills and patience, stating, "I needed that finish and I knew that I would finish him."

Key fight moments included:

• Tsarukyan making Ruffy work hard for takedowns.
• Ruffy’s impressive recovery after early takedowns.
• A decisive exchange of elbows leading to the knockout.

With Ruffy's back against the cage, Tsarukyan unleashed a left elbow that rendered him unconscious, followed by a right elbow that prompted referee Jason Herzog to stop the fight at 4:56 of the first round.

The victory positions Tsarukyan as a frontrunner for the lightweight title, especially with current champion Justin Gaethje not expected back until next year. Tsarukyan has also built a strong social media presence, further enhancing his star power. After the fight, he humorously proclaimed, "Title fight or Mark Zuckerberg, I want to fight you next." This performance undoubtedly makes him a compelling contender in the lightweight division.