Tsarukyan and Ruffy Nearly Brawl at UFC 331 Faceoff as Dana Steps In
Arman Tsarukyan stepped inside Mauricio Ruffy's fist at the UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins, triggering a shove and a scramble from security.
The UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins got spicy on Friday night in Los Angeles when Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy nearly came to blows during their final faceoff, per MMA Mania and Yahoo Sports.
Ruffy was standing with his fist extended during the staredown when Tsarukyan stepped inside the fist, closing the gap. Ruffy shoved him back, and security rushed in before the situation could escalate further. Dana White, standing between the fighters as usual, had to intervene.
For Tsarukyan, this is becoming a pattern. The No. 2 ranked lightweight previously headbutted Dan Hooker during their final faceoff before their fight in Qatar last November. The Armenian fighter seems to enjoy testing boundaries at the ceremonial stage.
The co-main event between Tsarukyan and Ruffy is one of the most anticipated matchups on the UFC 331 card, which takes place Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Ruffy, a rising Brazilian talent whose coach has compared him to Ronaldinho for his creative fighting style, represents the biggest test of his career against the division's top contender.
Earlier in the day, all 24 fighters on the card made weight without issue, including main event participants Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja, who both hit the 125-pound flyweight limit for their title rematch.
The main card streams on Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET, with prelims beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Arman stepping inside Ruffy's extended fist and getting shoved for it is Arman being Arman. He headbutted Dan Hooker at a faceoff in Qatar. He tests the line every single time, and one of these days a fighter is going to make him pay for it at the weigh-ins instead of the cage.
I do not love it, but I understand it. Faceoffs are theater and Arman knows the cameras are on. Ruffy reacting with a shove tells me the Brazilian is not going to be intimidated, and that makes the co-main more interesting, not less. A guy whose coach compares him to Ronaldinho is not going to fight scared.
The real news is all 24 fighters made weight, including both flyweights for the title rematch. Clean scale, hot faceoffs, Paramount+ at 9 ET. That is a good Friday for a Saturday card. Just keep Dana out of the middle next time. He is not getting any younger.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
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