Israel Adesanya Predicts Mauricio Ruffy KO Over Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331
- Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is backing Mauricio Ruffy to pull off a major upset against Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 331 co-main event, predicting a third-round...
- Fans and analysts have frequently pointed to Ruffy’s questionable wrestling defense as a primary vulnerability heading into the fight, though the Brazilian contender has maintained that he has...
- While Arman will push forward seeking takedowns, Ruffy is going to manage the space, rely on his movement, and steer clear of the cage boundary.
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is backing Mauricio Ruffy to pull off a major upset against Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 331 co-main event, predicting a third-round knockout finish according to breakdowns published on his YouTube channel and covered by ringside24.com. The unexpected 155-pound matchup came together swiftly after initial plans for Tsarukyan to face Charles Oliveira shifted just 24 hours before the official announcement, injecting fresh volatility into an already crowded lightweight division.
Adesanya Breaks Down the Tactical Path for Ruffy
Fans and analysts have frequently pointed to Ruffy’s questionable wrestling defense as a primary vulnerability heading into the fight, though the Brazilian contender has maintained that he has actively worked to shore up those gaps. Having spent time training alongside Alexander Volkanovski, Adesanya looked past those prevailing concerns to offer a detailed tactical analysis of how the Brazilian can neutralize Tsarukyan’s grappling-heavy approach. According to Adesanya’s video breakdown, Ruffy holds a distinct advantage in the striking department that could dictate the flow of the bout if he manages distance effectively.
“Ruffy will have the better footwork, by far,” Adesanya said, as noted in reports from ringside24.com. “I think Ruffy has to be wary about the timing of Tsarukyan’s takedowns… Keep away from the fence, don’t stay on the fence at all because if he stays on the fence it’s a bad night for him.”
I think it’ll look a lot like the Fiziev fight. While Arman will push forward seeking takedowns, Ruffy is going to manage the space, rely on his movement, and steer clear of the cage boundary. He’ll pick Arman apart and catch him with one of those shots. Alternatively, he can simply let Arman wear himself out shooting for takedowns before putting him away with a knockout. I’m picking Ruffy, third-round finish.
Israel Adesanya
Division Stakes and Title Picture Implications
The high-stakes clash carries significant championship ramifications at 155 pounds, where Tsarukyan has long positioned himself near the top of the division. According to ringside24.com coverage, a victory for Tsarukyan would cement his status as a premier contender capable of enforcing his wrestling game against elite, explosive strikers. Conversely, an upset victory for Ruffy—particularly by stoppage—would instantly transform the 30-year-old from an intriguing rising prospect into a central figure in the lightweight title conversation. Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria recently announced an imminent return with a targeted rematch callout against Justin Gaethje, a development that could force the winner of the UFC 331 co-main event to wait on the sidelines for several months before securing a championship opportunity.
