Tsarukyan, Ruffy Set for UFC 331 Clash
Tsarukyan, Ruffy Set for UFC 331 Clash
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Key Points
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Tsarukyan enters the bout on a five-fight winning streak, most recently submitting Dan Hooker in the second round, while Ruffy’s latest victory was a first-round TKO of Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250 in June.
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The matchup was arranged after the originally planned Tsarukyan–Charles Oliveira fight fell through; Ruffy stepped in roughly 24 hours before the bout was announced. Tsarukyan is viewed as potentially fighting for the final time before receiving a title opportunity.
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Ruffy’s wrestling defense remains a central concern: fans have questioned the weakness, while Ruffy has said he has specifically worked to improve that part of his game during camp.
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Tsarukyan has said he needs to outwrestle Ruffy and finish him spectacularly to secure the next championship opportunity, according to his interview with Daniel Cormier.
Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will battle in the UFC 331 co-main event at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tsarukyan enters as the heavy favorite due to his elite wrestling and grappling skills. Ruffy, however, has reinvented himself since his loss to Benoît Saint-Denis, joining Alexander Volkanovski's training team in Sydney and scoring knockout wins over Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler.
The two fighters nearly came to blows during their ceremonial weigh-ins, showing the intensity building toward their clash. MMA Junkie reports Tsarukyan holds a 23-3 MMA record with a 10-2 UFC mark. Ruffy's most recent victory came in June with a first-round TKO of Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250.
Tsarukyan Riding Five-Fight Winning Streak
Tsarukyan arrives at UFC 331 riding a five-fight winning streak and looking to extend it. His most recent victory came when he submitted Dan Hooker in the second round. The Body Lock MMA notes that Tsarukyan is considered a potential title contender who may fight for the last time before receiving a championship opportunity. He has made it clear he must outwrestle Ruffy and finish him decisively.
Ruffy's Wrestling Defense Remains Key Concern
Wrestling defense has been Ruffy's weakness throughout his UFC career. Fans and analysts have questioned this vulnerability repeatedly. However, Ruffy has stated he specifically worked to improve this aspect during his training camp with Volkanovski's team. If he fails to defend takedowns effectively, Tsarukyan will likely exploit this gap.
Experts Split on Underdog's Knockout Hopes
Grant Dawson believes Ruffy's size and physicality could create problems for Tsarukyan, but still predicts a late finish for the favorite. However, Yahoo Sports reports that Israel Adesanya is bullish on the underdog. Adesanya predicts Ruffy can win by third-round knockout if he maintains superior footwork, stays off the fence, and avoids Tsarukyan's takedowns. The difference in predictions shows how competitive experts view this bout.
Last-Minute Replacement for Fallen Main Card Bout
Ruffy stepped in roughly 24 hours before the bout was announced. The matchup came together after Tsarukyan's originally planned fight with Charles Oliveira fell through. MMA Junkie reports this quick turnaround makes Ruffy's acceptance a bold move. His willingness to take the short-notice bout demonstrates his confidence and desire to prove himself against a top contender.
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