Tsarukyan Is Ruffy's 'Worst Stylistic Matchup,' Coach Says

Arman Tsarukyan poses the toughest stylistic puzzle Mauricio Ruffy has faced in his UFC run, according to American Top Team striking coach Anderson Franca.

Franca, who helped build Tsarukyan's game plan for the UFC 331 co-main event Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, told Sherdog that the Armenian lightweight brought in a K-1 veteran to simulate Ruffy's elite standup. Tsarukyan has trained with Franca during prior camps at ATT but added Giorgio Petrosyan specifically to prepare for what Franca called the best striker at 155 pounds.

Why Tsarukyan Holds The Edge Over Ruffy

Franca was brought into camp immediately after the matchup was finalized. "Arman has to be extremely focused because you can't make mistakes against Ruffy," Franca said, per Sherdog. "On the other hand, Arman is the worst stylistic matchup for Ruffy and he also has an extremely high fight IQ."

The coach pegged the fight at 60-40 in Tsarukyan's favor despite acknowledging Ruffy as a sniper from range. Franca contrasted Tsarukyan's relentless pressure with Ruffy's precision striking, noting that the Armenian is willing to push through fire to close distance.

Franca will not be in Tsarukyan's corner Saturday night but his fingerprints remain on the strategy. Both fighters weigh in Friday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Arman Tsarukyan is Mauricio Ruffy’s ‘worst stylistic matchup,’ coach says