Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy in a pivotal five-round lightweight co-main event at UFC 331, scheduled for Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This fight is widely anticipated as a No. 1 contender bout, with Tsarukyan himself describing it as a “do-or-die” situation for his title aspirations.
High Stakes for Arman Tsarukyan
According to MMA Fighting, Tsarukyan has stated the significant pressure he feels for this bout. He was quoted saying, “If I lose this fight, I’m never going to see a title fight,” underscoring the career-defining nature of the upcoming clash. Tsarukyan, who holds a professional record of 23-3 MMA (10-2 UFC), is considered “probably one of the best wrestlers in the UFC.”
Mauricio Ruffy’s Intensive Preparation
Mauricio Ruffy (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has undergone rigorous training in preparation for the fight, notably joining UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski’s camp in Australia. As reported by MMA Junkie, Volkanovski has been diligently working on Ruffy’s takedown defence, a critical aspect given Tsarukyan’s wrestling prowess.
Volkanovski praised Ruffy’s athleticism and quick learning ability on the UFC 331 Countdown, stating, “He’s just an athlete. He just picks up things straight away.” He added that the training aims for Ruffy to react with “muscle memory,” particularly when tired. Volkanovski highlighted that wrestlers unaccustomed to the scrambling ability of his camp’s fighters often get fatigued. He believes that if Tsarukyan’s shots aren’t successful, facing Ruffy “in your face, that’s a big, big, big problem to have.”
Ruffy steps into this high-profile bout following back-to-back first-round TKO victories over Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler, marking a significant step up in competition.
Expert Opinion and Odds
Despite Ruffy’s strong recent performances and intensive preparation, Tsarukyan is currently viewed as a sizable favourite in the fight. Fellow fighter Khamzat Chimaev reportedly sees a “massive gap” in the Arman Tsarukyan-Mauricio Ruffy fight, according to Sherdog, further suggesting a perceived advantage for Tsarukyan.
UFC 331: Frequently Asked Questions
-
When and where will Arman Tsarukyan fight Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday as a five-round co-main event at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
-
What is at stake for Arman Tsarukyan in this fight?
Tsarukyan views the fight as a “do-or-die” situation, stating that if he loses, he believes he will “never going to see a title fight.” It is also expected to be a No. 1 contender bout.
-
Who has Mauricio Ruffy been training with for UFC 331?
Mauricio Ruffy has joined UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski’s camp in Australia, where he has been diligently working on his takedown defence.
-
Is Arman Tsarukyan considered the favourite for the fight?
Yes, Arman Tsarukyan is currently a sizable favourite over Mauricio Ruffy.
