Arman Tsarukyan expresses confusion over Charles Oliveira fight cancellation
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 10:50 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan, the top contender in the UFC lightweight division, is perplexed by the cancellation of his planned fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 331, scheduled for September 19 in Los Angeles. Tsarukyan was informed that he would instead face rising contender Mauricio Ruffy, despite his training for a match against Oliveira. Tsarukyan suspects that Oliveira used the recent death of UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento as an excuse to avoid their fight, as Oliveira has been active on social media since the incident. While Tsarukyan was initially set to fight Oliveira without a title on the line, he believes that a matchup between Oliveira and Ruffy may be for the BMF title.
- •Tsarukyan was set to fight Oliveira but will face Ruffy instead.
- •Cancellation came after the death of Allan Nascimento, a friend of Oliveira.
- •Tsarukyan questions Oliveira's motivations and training status.
- •Original fight was not for Oliveira's BMF title.
- •Speculation exists that Oliveira vs. Ruffy may be a title bout.
- 10:50 PMYahoo Sports — Arman Tsarukyan questions why he's not fighting Charles Oliveira at UFC 331
"Arman Tsarukyan believes Charles Oliveira purposely avoided fighting him at UFC 331.
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