How can Mauricio Ruffy defeat Arman Tsarukyan and shock the world at UFC 331?

Ranked tenth in the company's lightweight division, the Brazilian is the underdog in the important fight against the number two in the weight class.

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Ruffy promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

Ranked tenth in the UFC lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), Maurício Ruffy has the perfect opportunity to get closer to a title shot. This Saturday (19), in California (USA), the Brazilian will fight in the co-main event of UFC 331 against the feared Arman Tsarukyan , number two in the category's ranking. For many, the athlete is an underdog against the Armenian and, precisely for this reason, SUPER LUTAS presents the ideal way for him to surprise in the octagon and shock the world.

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In this specific case, there's no need to improvise. Since the UFC 331 matchup is a classic clash of styles between a grappler and a striker, Ruffy needs to have his takedown defense sharp to stay on his feet and take advantage in the striking exchanges. While Tsarukyan is far superior to the Brazilian in grappling, Ruffy is also much better than the Armenian in striking. In fact, many consider 'One Shot' one of the best strikers not only in the lightweight division, but also in MMA.

PUBLICITY:

Because he is creative, fast, powerful, precise, and technical, Ruffy represents a significant threat to the Armenian on his feet. In fact, the Brazilian becomes even more dangerous when you remember that Tsarukyan, in other fights, has had his chin tested and was almost knocked out by less technical opponents. Since the number two lightweight likes to exchange blows before going for takedowns, his specialty, Mauricio needs to be alert and more lethal than ever to take advantage.

And for that to happen, Ruffy will also need to show that he has evolved tremendously in defensive wrestling, after being exposed by Benoit Saint Denis in 2025. In his first and only UFC loss, the athlete was easily taken down and submitted by the Frenchman in the second round and, once on the ground, showed little skill and displayed a look of desperation. To make matters worse, Tsarukyan is quite active in RAF, a wrestling organization, meaning that if he already stood out in that area before, now he is sharper than ever.

PUBLICITY:

Therefore, the fight scenario is simple. Either Mauricio Ruffy justifies the nickname 'New Conor McGregor ' given to him by fans and knocks out Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331 , or he will be crushed on the ground, possibly submitted or knocked out via ground and pound, based on punches and elbows.

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Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy face off tensely at UFC. Photo: Getty Images/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC 331 technical sheet

Date: 19 September 2026

Time: Starting at 18:30 PM (Brasilia time)

Location: Crypto.com Arena, California, United States

How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time , Paramount+ (entire card) on TV and internet.

MAIN CARD (22pm Brasília time)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 – title fight

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy

Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Patricio Pitbull x Dooho Choi

Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Gable Stevenson vs. Sean Sharaf

Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski

PRELIMINARY CARD (18:30 p.m. Brasília time)

Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain

Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Tai Tuivasa x Robelis Despaigne

Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Joo Sang Yoo

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Ryan Gandra x Ozzy Diaz

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Brunno Hulk

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Casey O'Neill vs. Eduarda Moura

Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Giga Chikadze vs. Joanderson Tubarão

Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.

SUPER FIGHTS on Google News


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