Tsarukyan vs Ruffy Preview
Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy meet in an exciting lightweight bout at UFC 331 in the co-main event. Tsarukyan enters on an impressive five-fight win streak with three finishes in his last four. The Armenian looks next up for a title fight should he win in Los Angeles.
Mauricio Ruffy recovered from his submission loss in September to walk through arguably two even more impressive opponents in Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev, earning back-to-back knockout victories. Can he claim his biggest victory yet and enter title contention at the Crypto.com Arena, or will Tsarukyan prove too strong for the Brazilian?
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy Predictions
Prediction: Arman Tsarukyan via decision
One of our best MMA predictions this week is for Arman Tsarukyan to defeat Mauricio Ruffy. However, this could be one of the most difficult tests of Tsarukyan’s lightweight career. Ruffy possesses explosive striking and genuine knockout power, making him dangerous throughout five rounds. Tsarukyan should still have the tools required to control the fight and secure another important victory.
Tsarukyan enters the contest with an impressive 23-3 professional record. The Armenian has nine knockout victories and six submission wins. His most recent fight produced another impressive result against Dan Hooker in November 2025. Tsarukyan submitted the experienced New Zealander with an arm-triangle choke in the second round.
His biggest advantage should be his wrestling and grappling. Tsarukyan is one of the division’s strongest wrestlers and has repeatedly used that skill against elite opposition. He can change levels quickly and chain takedowns together when opponents defend the first attempt.
That approach could create serious problems for Ruffy. The Brazilian has developed into one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers. However, his only UFC defeat came against Benoit Saint Denis, who exposed vulnerabilities during grappling exchanges.
However, Tsarukyan should have a clear route towards neutralising those weapons. He can pressure forward, force Ruffy backwards and initiate clinch exchanges against the fence. From there, his wrestling should allow him to dictate where most exchanges take place.
The five-round format could also favour Tsarukyan. Ruffy has never competed beyond three rounds in the UFC, while Tsarukyan has considerable experience managing longer fights. This difference could become increasingly important if Tsarukyan forces repeated wrestling exchanges and makes Ruffy work defensively. Ruffy has been working extensively on his takedown defence. His team believes he has made significant improvements in that area ahead of this matchup. That development could make the fight considerably closer than some expect.
Ruffy has otherwise produced an outstanding professional record. He is 14-2 and has won 13 fights by knockout. His recent victories include impressive stoppages against Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler. His knockout against Chandler demonstrated the speed, creativity and power that make him such a dangerous opponent. The key question is whether Ruffy can keep the fight standing. If he does, Tsarukyan could face serious danger whenever they exchange at close range. Ruffy’s spinning attacks and explosive combinations can punish even small defensive mistakes.
Nevertheless, Tsarukyan’s wrestling is operating at an entirely different level. Even strong defensive wrestlers can struggle when he combines pressure, timing and repeated attempts. He does not necessarily need to dominate every exchange to win this fight. Instead, Tsarukyan can bank rounds through control and positional pressure. Ruffy will need to create damaging moments whenever the fight returns to the feet. That makes his counter-striking and defensive discipline especially important.
We expect Tsarukyan to avoid unnecessary risks during the opening rounds. He should gradually establish his wrestling before increasing the pressure later. Ruffy will likely have his best moments when Tsarukyan chooses to exchange rather than grapple. Ultimately, Tsarukyan’s ability to dictate the location of the fight should prove decisive. His wrestling gives him the clearest tactical advantage, while his experience provides another significant edge.
Our prediction for anyone watching the UFC in Ireland is Arman Tsarukyan via decision. Ruffy has enough striking ability to make this competitive, but Tsarukyan should control too many minutes through wrestling and top position. A victory would keep Tsarukyan firmly in the lightweight title picture and strengthen his case for another championship opportunity.
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy Betting Tips
- Method of Victory – Tsarukyan via decision: A bet on Tsarukyan to win via decision is our preferred selection for this matchup. Ruffy has dangerous knockout power, but Tsarukyan should have the tools to avoid prolonged striking exchanges. His wrestling should allow him to control large portions of the fight and limit Ruffy’s opportunities to build momentum. The five-round format also suits Tsarukyan, who can maintain pressure and accumulate control time without needing a finish. Back the Armenian to win on the judges’ scorecards.
- Fight to go the Distance – Yes: We expect this lightweight contest to reach the final bell. Ruffy is capable of producing spectacular finishes, but Tsarukyan should approach this fight with caution and use his wrestling effectively. His ability to dictate the pace could prevent Ruffy from finding extended opportunities for his most dangerous attacks. Tsarukyan has also shown that he can fight intelligently over longer distances when facing dangerous opponents. Back the fight to go the distance if you are betting on UFC this weekend.
- Longshot – Ruffy to win by knockout: Ruffy’s explosive striking makes him the most obvious upset threat. The Brazilian possesses exceptional speed and creativity, particularly when opponents give him space to attack. Tsarukyan cannot afford to become complacent during striking exchanges, especially against Ruffy’s unpredictable combinations and spinning attacks. If Ruffy manages to keep the fight standing for extended periods, his finishing ability could completely change the contest. This is the riskier angle, but it offers an interesting alternative for bettors seeking a bigger return with our online sportsbook.
Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The biggest statistical difference comes in their grappling styles. Tsarukyan has built his career around controlling opponents and dictating where exchanges happen. Ruffy, meanwhile, has produced most of his victories through devastating striking.
That contrast should define the contest. Tsarukyan has the clearer route to controlling the fight, while Ruffy possesses the greater immediate finishing threat. If Tsarukyan can consistently impose his wrestling, he should have enough control to win the decision.
Tsarukyan Recent Form and Key Stats
Arman Tsarukyan enters this contest with a 23-3 professional record and extensive experience against elite lightweight opposition. The Armenian has established himself as one of the division’s most complete fighters. His combination of wrestling, grappling and improving striking makes him difficult to contain across multiple rounds. Tsarukyan has won nine fights by knockout and six by submission. His most recent victory came against Dan Hooker in November 2025, where he submitted the experienced New Zealander with an arm-triangle choke in the second round.
His wrestling remains his biggest weapon. Tsarukyan can change levels quickly, and chain takedown attempts together when opponents defend the initial shot. He is also comfortable controlling opponents against the fence before advancing to stronger positions. That could prove particularly important against Ruffy. The Brazilian is most dangerous when he can establish rhythm on the feet. Tsarukyan should therefore look to disrupt that rhythm through pressure and repeated grappling exchanges.
Tsarukyan also brings valuable experience in five-round contests. He has faced some of the UFC’s strongest lightweights and understands how to manage longer fights. His ability to maintain a high pace could become increasingly important as Ruffy tyres.
Ruffy Recent Form and Key Stats
Mauricio Ruffy enters the fight with a 14-2 professional record and an outstanding finishing rate. The Brazilian has won 13 fights by knockout, highlighting the danger he presents whenever the fight remains standing. Ruffy has quickly developed a reputation as one of the UFC’s most exciting strikers.
His speed, movement and creativity allow him to attack from unusual angles. He is particularly dangerous when opponents give him enough space to unleash combinations. His recent victories include impressive stoppages against Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler. The knockout against Chandler demonstrated Ruffy’s ability to produce fight-changing moments with very little warning.
However, Tsarukyan presents a completely different stylistic challenge. Ruffy cannot simply rely on his striking if the Armenian consistently finds takedowns. He will need strong defensive wrestling and disciplined movement to keep the fight where he wants it. Ruffy’s improvements in takedown defence could make this contest more competitive. His ability to scramble back to his feet will also be crucial. If he can force Tsarukyan to repeatedly reset, Ruffy should have opportunities to showcase his striking.
