Arman Tsarukyan Upsets Mauricio Ruffy and MMA Community by Claiming Alexander Volkanovski Cannot Wrestle

Arman Tsarukyan doesn't believe Mauricio Ruffy can win after him training with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Arman Tsarukyan Upsets Mauricio Ruffy and MMA Community by Claiming Alexander Volkanovski Cannot Wrestle

Arman Tsarukyan commented about Alexander Volkanovski ahead of Mauricio Ruffy showdown (Image via Facebook/MMA Fighting)

Jon Anik handled the UFC 331 pre-fight press conference in the absence of Dana White with all the main card fighters present. One moment stood out when Arman Tsarukyan targeted the wrestling ability of Alexander Volkanovski, which didn’t sit well with Mauricio Ruffy or the fans online.

Before Volk faced Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, the Dagestani fighter downplayed the wrestling ability of his Australian rival. It appears that Tsarukyan used the same talking point as there aren’t many accomplished wrestlers from Australia.

Ruffy now trains with Volkanovski after leaving Fighting Nerds. Tsarukyan was of the belief that Volkanovski couldn’t teach much to Ruffy before UFC 331. To that end, the Armenian contender felt that someone should teach Volk about wrestling. However, Ruffy felt that Tsarukyan didn’t respect Volk.

We need someone to teach Volk how to wrestle first. Nobody said I don’t respect him, I just said he doesn’t know how to wrestle.

Arman Tsarukyan via UFC 331 pre-fight presser

Immediately, Ruffy pointed out how Volkanovski did well against Makhachev in the wrestling department to downplay the Armenian’s claim.

After all the storied history he’s (Volkanovski) built in the UFC, everything he’s done even with Islam, you’re gonna tell me he doesn’t know wrestling? Okay bro.

Mauricio Ruffy via UFC 331 pre-fight presser

The MMA community also reacted negatively on X when Tsarukyan said what he said about Volk. Most fans on X felt that it was disrespectful as well.

Recently, Tsarukyan came out and revealed that he would use his gameplan for the Dan Hooker bout at UFC Qatar last year again at UFC 331. The top contender overwhelmed Hooker with his wrestling before securing a second round submission victory.

Meanwhile, Ruffy needs to keep the fight standing to have the advantage. Last year, he suffered a submission loss to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris. BSD hunted for takedowns to overwhelm the Brazilian, which led to his first loss in the UFC.

Volkanovski cornered Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250 when the Brazilian knocked out Michael Chandler. After that, he picked Ruffy as the best striker in the UFC.

Volk believes that he is a kryptonite for wrestle-heavy fighters. Ruffy has excellent counter-striking abilities, but has yet to show takedown and grappling defense like the featherweight champion.

It remains to be seen if the Brazilian can defeat Tsarukyan at UFC 331 and show everyone how much he’s improved by working with Volkanovski.

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Israel Adesanya predicts Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy

Arman Tsarukyan is currently the favorite at -340. He has not lost in the UFC since 2022 when Mateusz Gamrot defeated him on the judges’ scorecard. At the same time, he has not been active in the UFC lightweight division.

The question of ring rust always gets brought up. However, Tsarukyan keep himself active by competing in RAF wrestling and other grappling bouts.

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy predicted by Israel Adesanya
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy predicted by Israel Adesanya (Image via X/UFC.com)

Israel Adesanya is a close friend and training partner of Alexander Volkanovski. He has also worked with Ruffy in the past. As such, Adesanya picked the Brazilian to upset Tsarukyan at UFC 331.

Ruffy’s footwork must be elite in this fight because you can’t get stuck on the cage with Arman. I think if Ruffy just maintains his distance, keeps his footwork sharp, and stays off the fence line, he’ll be popping Arman, and one of them will catch him. If not, when Arman gets tired from trying to take him down later on, Ruffy’s gonna snipe him. So I’m gonna go with Ruffy—third-round finish.

Israel Adesanya via his YouTube Channel

Despite picking Ruffy, Adesanya cautioned the Brazilian to be as perfect as possible by maintaining distance.

Tsarukyan has a high-level wrestling pedigree and will hunt for the takedowns in every round at UFC 331. It remains to be seen if Adesanya’s prediction will come true at UFC 331.

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