“I hate to say”: Dana White refuses to confirm title shot for Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy winner

The UFC 331 co-main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy doesn't come with a guaranteed title shot for the winner, as both fighters previously said it was a No. 1 contender fight.

UFC head honcho Dana White has held back from confirming that the winner of the co-main event will fight Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title. 

Dana White casts doubt on title shot for Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy winner

Since the UFC 331 co-main event was announced, Tsarukyan, in various public appearances, has said that his fight against Ruffy is for the No. 1 contender spot; at first, many thought the opportunity was only for the Armenian. 

However, Ruffy also shared that he has been assured that, if he secures a win, he will fight for UFC gold. His comments appeared to confirm that the UFC 331 co-main event was being treated as a title eliminator.

Despite those claims, White has refused to officially confirm that the winner will receive the next title shot. When asked the question, Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy is for the no. 1 contender in his recent appearance on Sports Central LA.

"I hate to say that until the fight is over... Arman says a lot of things. Listen, let's see how this fight plays out," White said. 

Check out Dana White’s comments below: 

Many believe that Tsarukyan is the rightful contender to challenge for the title if he gets the win over Ruffy. Now White’s comments have added another layer of uncertainty to the lightweight title picture.

Arman Tsarukyan looks to earn the title shot he was denied

Tsarukyan was given the title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, but he never made it to the octagon and withdrew from the fight a day before the fight due to a back injury. 

UFC brass then made it clear that he won't get an immediate lightweight title shot and that he has to earn his opportunity. Later, Tsarukyan faced Dan Hooker in November and secured an impressive submission in the second round that many felt would be enough to fight for the belt. 

However, the Armenian star was sidelined. Now he is set to face Ruffy at UFC 331 in a fight that does not come with a guaranteed title shot. 

Tsarukyan is riding a five-fight win streak, and if he manages to secure an impressive finish, he will cement himself as next in line for the shot.