Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira Rematch Reportedly Set for September at UFC 331 in Los Angeles

Armenian lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is reportedly set to face former UFC champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Sports reporter Manouk Akopyan said multiple sources familiar with the agreement confirmed the matchup. The UFC has not yet announced the bout and is expected to release the full fight card and ticket details separately.

Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira by split decision at UFC 300 in Las Vegas on April 13, 2024. Their second meeting could determine the next challenger for newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, with the winner expected to enter the title picture in early 2027.

Los Angeles could offer Tsarukyan one of the strongest crowd advantages of his career. Southern California is home to a large Armenian community, and local supporters are expected to turn out in force for the 29-year-old contender.

Tsarukyan began training camp Monday in Armenia after a busy two-week stretch that included RAF wrestling appearances in Georgia and Milwaukee, a visit to UFC headquarters in Las Vegas and a trip to Abu Dhabi for Saturday’s UFC event. Oliveira is preparing in Brazil.

Tsarukyan, who holds a 22-3 professional record, has fought once since his first victory over Oliveira. He submitted Dan Hooker in November.

He had been scheduled to challenge then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January 2025 but withdrew on the day of the weigh-in because of a back injury. Tsarukyan is ranked No. 2 in the UFC lightweight division and No. 14 in the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Oliveira enters the expected rematch with a 37-11 record. The 36-year-old Brazilian is 3-1 since losing to Tsarukyan, with victories over Michael Chandler, Mateusz Gamrot and Max Holloway. He defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in March to win the BMF title.

His only loss during that stretch came against Ilia Topuria, who stopped him in the opening round in June 2025. Oliveira is ranked No. 3 at lightweight and No. 15 pound-for-pound.

The rematch would place two of the division’s leading contenders in a fight with clear championship consequences — and give Tsarukyan a chance to strengthen his claim to a title shot in front of a heavily pro-Armenian crowd.

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