Tsarukyan On Drilling Elbows That KO'd Ruffy

Arman Tsarukyan drilled the exact elbow combination that knocked out Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.

Footage released after the fight shows the lightweight contender rehearsing the same sneaky clinch strike in training camp, according to MMA Mania. Tsarukyan was a heavy favorite against the flashy Brazilian, but most expected him to lean on his wrestling rather than hunt for a standing finish. Instead, he landed a picture-perfect double elbow that left Ruffy unconscious on his feet.

Tsarukyan Planned For Cage Work

The training video shows Tsarukyan firing the same style of elbow repeatedly in clinch positions. He threw the move once earlier in the actual fight, then landed it again twelve seconds later for the knockout. The setup suggests Tsarukyan expected Ruffy to battle hard for underhooks against the cage to defend takedowns, which would expose his face to the short, upward elbow.

The win is Tsarukyan's sixth straight at lightweight and puts him in line for a title shot. The only holdup is whether champion Justin Gaethje faces Ilia Topuria first, which could force Tsarukyan to wait months for his opportunity.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Video shows Arman Tsarukyan drilling elbows that KO’d Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331