Arman Tsarukyan, Mauricio Ruffy Separated at UFC 331 Ceremonial Weigh-Ins
Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy had to be separated by security following a heated faceoff at the UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins in Los Angeles.
· VILLAND PICK editorial
Tensions boiled over Friday night at the UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins in Los Angeles, where lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy were involved in a physical altercation on stage. After stepping off the scale, Tsarukyan made a direct beeline toward Ruffy, who stood posing with his fist extended. When Tsarukyan stepped inside the reach of the pose, Ruffy used his fist to shove Tsarukyan back, prompting security personnel to immediately step in and separate the pair before punches could be thrown.
The five-round co-main event serves ostensibly as a lightweight title eliminator. Friday's incident adds to Tsarukyan's history of volatile pre-fight staredowns, which previously included an altercation at UFC Qatar in November where he headbutted Dan Hooker during their final faceoff.
Saturday's card is headlined by a flyweight championship rematch between Joshua Van and Alexander Pantoja, who have exchanged words throughout fight week. Following their staredown, Pantoja addressed the crowd, stating, "What happened in December, it’s not going to happen tomorrow. I’ll see you in the octagon." Van immediately responded, "It ain’t no accident.
It happened the way it did, and it was meant to be. Tomorrow, we kill or be killed!"
Sources
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