Ruffy's Wrestling Growth Ahead of Tsarukyan at UFC 331
Mauricio Ruffy's defensive wrestling has sharply improved ahead of his Arman Tsarukyan fight at UFC 331, his coach says.
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Mauricio Ruffy's defensive wrestling has taken a major leap since he moved his camp to Alexander Volkanovski's team in Australia, according to his head coach Joe Lopez, who says Ruffy now regularly stuffs Volkanovski's own takedown attempts in the gym.
Ruffy meets Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles, the toughest matchup of his career against a lightweight built around elite wrestling and top control. Lopez, who coaches Volkanovski, told Submission Radio that the difference in Ruffy's grappling since he arrived is stark. "Well, it's just chalk and cheese," Lopez said. "You can just see how he's improving, you know?"
Why Ruffy's Camp Move Matters for the Tsarukyan Fight
Ruffy left the Brazilian gym Fighting Nerds after a loss to Benoit St. Denis in September 2025 and joined Volkanovski's squad. Since then he has finished both Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler, and Lopez says the technical shift in the gym has been just as important as the results. He specifically pointed to Ruffy's takedown defense and scramble instincts as the focus of camp.
"For this fight here, that's one of our specialties is our defensive wrestling and our scrambles and not accepting the position," Lopez said. He added that Ruffy has changed his entire approach on the ground, moving away from the grip-heavy jiu-jitsu habits he came in with. "When he first came, he was still really stuck in his jiu-jitsu type thing where he attached himself to the person," Lopez said. "Now, he's not. He's training his escapes, getting out, putting his body in the right position, putting his hands in the right position."
That distinction matters against Tsarukyan, whose whole game plan tends to run through imposing top position and grinding out rounds. If Ruffy can consistently scramble back to his feet instead of getting stapled to the mat, he takes away the exact path Tsarukyan has used to beat most of his recent opponents.
Betting Angle
Sportsbooks have Tsarukyan as a clear favorite, with lines in the range of -350 to -400 and Ruffy sitting as a live underdog around +280 to +300. That price reflects Tsarukyan's wrestling pedigree and his standing near the top of the lightweight division, but it may not fully account for how much Ruffy's takedown defense has evolved in a short window. Ruffy has finished his last two opponents, and a live underdog with real power and improved scramble ability is the kind of profile that can move a number if early rounds go his way. Bettors leaning toward Ruffy are essentially betting that the wrestling gap has closed more than the market currently believes. Anyone backing Tsarukyan is still betting on the safer, more proven path: control time and volume over five rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mauricio Ruffy fighting at UFC 331?
Mauricio Ruffy faces Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles.
Why did Mauricio Ruffy change training camps?
Mauricio Ruffy left the Fighting Nerds gym in Brazil after losing to Benoit St. Denis in September 2025 and joined Alexander Volkanovski's team in Australia.
Who is favored in the Ruffy vs. Tsarukyan odds?
Sportsbooks have installed Arman Tsarukyan as a significant favorite over Mauricio Ruffy, with lines around -350 to -400 for Tsarukyan and Ruffy as an underdog near +280 to +300.
