Tony Ferguson Claims Teaching Arman Tsarukyan the Elbow Strike That Helped Him Win at UFC 331

Arman Tsarukyan shocked even the UFC color commentator Joe Rogan with his vicious elbow-KO victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. But many might be startled to learn that Tony Ferguson was at the core of Tsarukyan's victory. The former UFC interim lightweight champion recently revealed that he taught Tsarukyan the elbow strike that the Armenian used to KO Ruffy.

Tony Ferguson Reveals He Developed a Strong Bond With Arman Tsarukyan

Ferguson came into contact with Tsarukyan during their RAF Wrestling matchup in June this year. Despite enduring a defeat in the match, Ferguson told Fred Becks of Fred Talks fighting that he became somewhat of a mentor to Tsarukyan due to his vast experience in the UFC.

At UFC 331, Tsarukyan turned his failure to take Ruffy down into a monumental success by firing the elbow that knocked him out with just seconds left in the first round of their fight. During his discussion with Fred, Ferguson revealed that he had taught Tsarukyan the elbow strike that he KO'd Ruffy with.

The former UFC lightweight mentioned that he had also tutored Tabatha Ricci. Ferguson said, "I remember showing Arman that elbow over in Thailand. I told Tabatha too."

Subsequently, 'El Cucuy' revealed that the source of his knowledge about the technique was one of his friends training at Reign Training Center in Lake Forest, California. "When it comes down to it, you know who taught me that one? One of my friends at the Reign Training Center," said Ferguson.

Ferguson also expressed his wish to become someone who can pass his knowledge to others and help them pull themselves up from adversity, instead of being an "ar**hole." On the other hand, Tsarukyan has talked about his UFC 331 KO victory over Ruffy on multiple public platforms to date. But 'Batman' hasn't credited Ferguson for teaching him the elbow strike that knocked out his Brazilian rival. 

There's video proof of the former UFC flyweight champ, Demetrious Johnson, instructing Tsarukyan to separate himself from clinching with his opponent on the cage for short intervals to throw knees, kicks, and elbows. As a result, several fans might be thinking that 'Mighty Mouse' is at the core of Tsarukyan's UFC 331 elbow KO.

It would probably take Tsarukyan himself to come forward and testify to Ferguson's claim to make fans believe that 'El Cucuy' was the think tank behind his elbow KO at UFC 331.