Arman Tsarukyan believes Mauricio Ruffy’s experience training with UFC stars Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya will not be enough to give him an advantage when the two lightweights meet at UFC 331 this weekend.
Tsarukyan, who faces Ruffy in the co-main event, addressed the Brazilian fighter’s training with the former UFC champions during Wednesday’s media day.
While acknowledging Ruffy’s striking ability and power, Tsarukyan made it clear that he believes his own all-around skill set will prove decisive.
“I mean, you cannot compare Adesanya with me and you cannot compare Volkanovski with me. It's completely different fighters,” Tsarukyan said.
“Yeah (Ruffy) has power and he has good striking but I'm better everywhere, so with my wrestling and my striking that I can mix (together) I can always strike him.”
With a potential title opportunity at stake, Tsarukyan was also asked whether he expects a victory over Ruffy to earn him a shot at the UFC lightweight championship.
His answer was unequivocal.
“Yeah, 100%.”
