Arman Tsarukyan's coach warns about Mauricio Ruffy: "More dangerous than anyone in the top five"
Marcos Parrumpa expects a difficult fight for Tsarukyan and believes Ruffy's versatility makes him particularly dangerous on the feet.
Arman Tsarukyan is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the UFC lightweight division. However, his coach is particularly concerned about what Mauricio Ruffy can do on the feet. Ahead of their UFC 331 matchup, Marcos "Parrumpa" da Matta praised the Brazilian's versatility and warned that he could be more dangerous than any fighter currently ranked in the top five.
Mauricio Ruffy's Striking Concerns Arman Tsarukyan's Team
Since joining the UFC in 2024, Ruffy has already proven to be one of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division. The Brazilian has won 13 of his 14 professional victories by TKO or knockout, including finishes over Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler in his last two appearances.
Given this record, Tsarukyan's coach Parrumpa is fully aware of the danger Ruffy poses. According to the renowned MMA coach, the Brazilian has a very versatile stand-up game and will represent a major challenge for Tsarukyan. Speaking to Laerte Viana na Área – MMA, Parrumpa claimed the Brazilian is a tougher matchup than any other fighter in the division's top five.
"Ruffy is dangerous on the feet," Parrumpa began. "He's a big, tall guy who does a very good job of controlling the distance. I don't think it's a secret what each fighter's strategy will be. Ruffy is more dangerous than anyone in the top five. He's very versatile. He can kick, punch and throw powerful knees. It's a tough fight, it won't be easy."
While Ruffy's striking could be his biggest weapon, Tsarukyan has a clear path to neutralizing it. The Armenian is one of the UFC's most accomplished wrestlers and will likely look to take the Brazilian to the ground, where he can limit the space Ruffy needs to use his striking. How well Tsarukyan can impose that game plan could be one of the keys to the matchup.
Arman Tsarukyan Faces Another Challenge
Currently riding a five-fight winning streak, Tsarukyan arrives at the matchup with plenty of momentum. After defeating Charles Oliveira and Dan Hooker in his last two appearances, the Armenian will face another major challenge against Ruffy as he continues his pursuit of title contention.
With Tsarukyan and Ruffy set to meet at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, Parrumpa's comments highlight the danger the Brazilian could pose to the former title challenger. The fight will ultimately show whether Ruffy can make his striking advantage count against one of the division's most accomplished wrestlers.
