Despite that preparation, Tsarukyan does not believe Ruffy's training partners will give him an advantage once the two fighters enter the Octagon.

Tsarukyan acknowledged that Ruffy possesses dangerous power and an unusual striking style, but believes his own ability to combine wrestling and striking gives him more options during the fight.

He also admitted that Ruffy could be particularly dangerous during the opening round because of his unpredictable striking. However, Tsarukyan expects the fight to become more manageable as it progresses.

Michael Chandler sees an upset opportunity

Not everyone expects Tsarukyan to come through the fight.

Michael Chandler, who recently experienced Ruffy's power firsthand, believes the Brazilian has a realistic chance of pulling off an upset.

Chandler was stopped by Ruffy in the first round at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Based on that experience, he believes Ruffy's striking ability is being underestimated.

Chandler expects Tsarukyan to rely heavily on his wrestling rather than engage in a prolonged stand-up battle. At the same time, he believes Ruffy's confidence and recent momentum could create problems for the Armenian contender.

The former UFC title challenger ultimately picked Ruffy to win, arguing that the Brazilian could find opportunities to land damaging shots if Tsarukyan is unable to establish his preferred grappling game.

Ruffy enters the matchup with a 14-2 professional record and a 5-1 UFC record. His only UFC defeat came against Benoit Saint Denis in September 2025, but he has responded with back-to-back stoppage wins over Fiziev and Chandler.

Tsarukyan also weighs in on Usman Nurmagomedov

Tsarukyan was also asked about another undefeated lightweight, Usman Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov is 22-0 and has built a major following during his time in Bellator and the PFL. With reports continuing to link him with a possible UFC move, his potential arrival could add another elite name to an already crowded lightweight division.

Tsarukyan believes Nurmagomedov has the ability to compete with the best fighters in the UFC, but he wants to see him tested against the level of opposition found inside the promotion.

At the same time, Tsarukyan argued that Nurmagomedov's popularity has been boosted significantly by his association with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.

According to Tsarukyan, the presence and fan base of the two former UFC champions have helped turn Usman into a major name before he has even competed in the UFC. However, Tsarukyan did not dismiss Nurmagomedov's ability as a fighter. He described him as an elite competitor who could create problems for top UFC lightweights, particularly because of his wrestling and well-rounded skill set.

Tsarukyan also suggested that a potential matchup between Nurmagomedov and Ilia Topuria could be highly competitive, pointing to differences in their striking and wrestling abilities.

UFC 331 could shape Tsarukyan's next move

For now, however, Tsarukyan's attention remains on Ruffy.

The Armenian contender has stayed active outside the Octagon through grappling competition and is looking to make a strong return to UFC action. A victory over Ruffy would further strengthen his position in the lightweight title picture, while a defeat could significantly change his immediate path toward another championship opportunity.

Ruffy, meanwhile, has the opportunity to move from rising contender to a genuine title threat with another major victory.

With Tsarukyan's wrestling, Ruffy's striking, and both fighters carrying significant momentum into the matchup, their UFC 331 co-main event represents an important test for both men.

Tsarukyan's journey from dreaming about the NHL to becoming a UFC contender has already taken several unexpected turns. His next chapter will depend on what happens when he finally shares the Octagon with Ruffy.