TLDR
- Coach Anderson Franca believes Arman Tsarukyan is Mauricio Ruffy’s ‘worst stylistic matchup’ ahead of UFC 331
- Tsarukyan brought in K-1 veteran Giorgio Petrosyan to simulate Ruffy’s elite striking during training camp
- Franca rates the fight 60-40 in Tsarukyan’s favor despite calling Ruffy the best striker at 155 pounds
- Tsarukyan plans to defend the lightweight title at least five times to break Islam Makhachev’s UFC record
- Islam Makhachev encouraged Tsarukyan after beating him in 2019, saying ‘everything’s ahead of you’
Sources: yardbarker.com | mmasucka.com | mmafighting.com
Arman Tsarukyan poses the toughest stylistic challenge Mauricio Ruffy has faced in his UFC career, according to the Armenian fighter’s striking coach. Anderson Franca made the assessment ahead of their co-main event bout at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Franca, who works at American Top Team, told Sherdog that Tsarukyan brought in K-1 veteran Giorgio Petrosyan specifically to prepare for the matchup. The coach called Ruffy the best striker at 155 pounds but believes Tsarukyan’s style creates major problems for the Brazilian.
“Arman has to be extremely focused because you can’t make mistakes against Ruffy,” Franca said. “On the other hand, Arman is the worst stylistic matchup for Ruffy and he also has an extremely high fight IQ.”
Franca came into camp immediately after the fight was finalized. He rates the contest 60-40 in Tsarukyan’s favor, contrasting the Armenian’s relentless pressure with Ruffy’s precision striking from range.
Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy face off ahead of their fight this weekend 👀
(via _pucho__/IG) pic.twitter.com/7qzCeBTbze
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 16, 2026
Lessons From Islam Makhachev
Tsarukyan’s UFC journey began seven years ago with a short-notice debut against Islam Makhachev in Russia. The then-22-year-old lost a hard-fought decision but received encouragement from his opponent afterward.
“He supported me after the fight,” Tsarukyan recalled in a recent statement. “He said, ‘You’re still young, everything’s ahead of you. So don’t be upset.’ And I was like, ‘I’m not that young!'”
Tsarukyan admitted he struggled with the loss at the time. “I never liked losing… no matter how young I was,” he said.
Makhachev’s prediction proved accurate as Tsarukyan worked his way back to a title shot at UFC 311 in January 2025. That opportunity ended when a back injury forced him out of the contest.
Makhachev has since vacated the lightweight title and moved up to become welterweight champion. He set a UFC lightweight record with four consecutive title defenses before making the jump.
Breaking Records and Future Plans
Tsarukyan now has clear goals if he wins the lightweight championship. Speaking on the Deep Waters show, he said he wants “at least five” title defenses to break Makhachev’s record.
“Islam had four defenses, so I want to make five and then we’ll see or I retire or go up to 170,” Tsarukyan explained. He noted he would need to gain weight for the welterweight division.
Before Makhachev, no lightweight had ever defended their UFC title four times. Makhachev reached that milestone at UFC 311 when he defeated Renato Moicano.
Ilia Topuria currently holds the vacant lightweight belt after knocking out Charles Oliveira. He lost his first defense to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House in June.
Tsarukyan expects to face Gaethje for the title if he beats Ruffy, though he acknowledges no guarantees exist. He told interviewers the matchmakers have given him a verbal promise for a title shot.
When asked about potential opponents, Tsarukyan suggested Topuria could face Paddy Pimblett next. “The fight makes sense, but they’re not going to do this fight because they need both,” he said.
Franca will not be in Tsarukyan’s corner Saturday night, but his work remains part of the fight strategy. Both fighters weigh in Friday afternoon in Los Angeles.
