Mauricio Ruffy has sent a chilling warning to his next opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, before the two lock horns at UFC 331 on September 19.
Yesterday, the promotion announced that Ruffy and top contender Tsarukyan will fight in the main event of UFC 331. The bout will be a five-round lightweight contest.
After the bout was announced, the Brazilian knockout artist sent a chilling warning to the Armenian. Ruffy, who most recently knocked out Michael Chandler in Round 1 at UFC Freedom 250, believes he can also send Tsarukyan to the shroom realm at UFC 331.
Beating the top 155-pound contender makes Ruffy the next lightweight title challenger, and he plans to get the title opportunity not with a decison win or a submission over “Ahalkalakets,” but a clean KO. The 30-year-old quipped:
“Winning this fight puts us right in line for the title. I don’t feel any pressure at all. I’m going in there for the knockout. I don’t want to leave the Octagon without it.”
Check out Mauricio Ruffy’s comments below:
Can Mauricio Ruffy beat Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331?
Many in the MMA community are already counting Mauricio Ruffy out. However, that should not be done, as the 30-year-old possesses knockout power and has already finished Chandler, Rafael Fiziev, and King Green in the UFC, among others.
The No. 7-ranked 155-pound contender’s fighting style has often drawn comparisons to Conor McGregor, and the Brazilian also has the ability to end a fight with a single punch like “The Notorious.
The kind of KO power Ruffy owns could create problems even for a backpack-style wrestler like Arman Tsarukyan. Plus, Ruffy now trains alongside Alexander Volkanovski and will almost certainly be focusing on improving his takedown defense to neutralize Tsarukyan’s wrestling and keep the fight standing for 25 mins.
At UFC 331, the 30-year-old needs to find early openings, stuff every takedown, and land clean early if he wants to stop “Ahalkalakets.”
