Morning Report | Henry Cejudo likes Mauricio Ruffy’s title fight chances after UFC 331: ‘Who wouldn’t want to see Mauricio Ruffy vs. Justin Gaethje?’

Henry Cejudo believes Mauricio Ruffy could leapfrog Arman Tsarukyan for a lightweight title shot if the former delivers an impressive performance at UFC 331's co-main event, suggesting Ruffy deserves consideration despite Tsarukyan's long wait and superior resume.

Tsarukyan has been positioned as the No. 1 contender for some time yet remains without a second title opportunity. His first crack at UFC 311 ended in withdrawal when a back injury forced him out of a fight with then-champion Islam Makhachev, leaving Renato Moicano to challenge on short notice. Current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is not expected to defend until 2027, and former champion Ilia Topuria is seeking a rematch, meaning neither Tsarukyan nor Ruffy has a guaranteed path to gold.

Cejudo noted that UFC CEO Dana White has previously expressed frustration with Tsarukyan, citing both the UFC 311 pullout and a headbutt thrown at Dan Hooker before their UFC Qatar clash in November, though Tsarukyan dominated that fight. Ruffy, while less proven, has become a fan favorite for his finishes, including his 2025 Knockout of the Year over King Green and a June knockout of Michael Chandler at the UFC White House event. Cejudo believes Ruffy could make an appealing matchup with Gaethje.

Cejudo cautioned that White ultimately controls title-shot decisions. Tsarukyan enters as a heavy favorite on a five-fight winning streak and 10-of-11 recent form, with his wrestling-heavy approach expected to counter Ruffy's striking. Cejudo suggested that if Ruffy keeps the fight standing—citing his training with Alexander Volkanovski—he could prevail, but warned against betting against Tsarukyan's championship drive and wrestling foundation.