Tsarukyan and Ruffy need separating at UFC 331 weigh-ins ahead of title eliminator

Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy required security intervention at the UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins in Los Angeles on Friday, turning what had been a largely friction-free fight week into a near-altercation less than 24 hours before their scheduled bout.

After stepping off the scale, Tsarukyan walked directly toward Ruffy, who was posing with his fist extended. Tsarukyan moved inside the outstretched fist, prompting Ruffy to use it to shove him back. Security stepped in before the situation escalated further.

It is not the first time Tsarukyan has made headlines at a faceoff. The Armenian lightweight, nicknamed “Batman”, famously headbutted Dan Hooker during their final staredown before their fight at UFC Qatar in November — an incident that damaged his standing with the promotion. Despite that history, Friday’s weigh-ins showed little had changed in his approach.

Saturday’s co-main event pits the two lightweights against each other over five rounds in what is being billed as a title eliminator, with the winner positioning themselves for a shot at the lightweight championship.

The main event at UFC 331 is a flyweight title rematch between champion Alexander Pantoja and Joshua Van. Unlike the co-main event faceoff, Pantoja and Van — who have traded barbs throughout the week — kept their composure during their final staredown, letting their words do the work instead.

“That’s opportunity. I’m grateful. But what happened in December, it’s not going to happen tomorrow,” Pantoja told the crowd. “I’ll see you in the octagon.”

Van was equally direct in his response: “It ain’t no accident. It happened the way it did, and it was meant to be. Tomorrow, we kill or be killed.”