Jean Silva praises Tsarukyan's intelligence after knockout of Ruffy at UFC 331.

Arman Tsarukyan defeated Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. Photo: UFC Brazil / X

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Jean Silva was impressed with the adjustments made by Arman Tsarukyan , which resulted in the brutal knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. The Armenian faced the Brazilian in the co-main event and knocked out his opponent with a beautiful elbow strike in the final seconds of the first round, after spending much of the fight seeking a grappling exchange. For "The Lord," the change in strategy was very intelligent.

In a post on X, Jean Silva highlighted that Tsarukyan realized his takedown attempts weren't working and began using elbows to find openings in Luffy's defense. The Brazilian also emphasized the difficulty of facing an explosive wrestler while simultaneously protecting both the face and legs.

“It was a very clever adjustment by Arman, he saw that the leg takedowns weren't working and used that to start throwing elbows midway through the first round. It's difficult to stand in front of such an explosive wrestler and focus on defending your face and legs,” wrote Jean Silva.

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Jean also pointed out that, instead of focusing on takedowns, Tsarukyan began pressuring Ruffy against the cage and taking advantage of opportunities to attack in the clinch. In the Brazilian's assessment, the change in strategy during the fight demonstrated a high level of adaptation on the part of the Armenian fighter.

“Instead of using everything to take him down, he started pressing against the cage and striking whenever he could in the clinch, a high-level adjustment during the middle of the fight,” concluded the Brazilian.

Instead of using everything to take him down, he started pressing against the cage and striking whenever he could in the clinch, a high-level adjustment during the middle of the fight.

— Jean “Lord” Silva (@Jeansilvamma96) September 20, 2026

Watch Arman Tsarukyan's knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.

ARMAN KNOCKS MAURICIO RUFFY OUT COLD!!!

📺 #UFC331 on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/v7mDUuLQGI

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026

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