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Arman Tsarukyan unimpressed by Mauricio Ruffy’s star-studded training camp: ‘I’m better everywhere’

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1 month ago

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Arman Tsarukyan unimpressed by Mauricio Ruffy’s star-studded training camp: ‘I’m better everywhere’

Arman Tsarukyan doesn't care who Mauricio Ruffy trains with ahead of UFC 331.

This Saturday, Tsarukyan takes on Ruffy in a five-round co-main event for UFC 331 in Los Angeles. The bout is potentially a title eliminator, and as such, Ruffy has pulled out all the stops in his preparation, working with UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski and former champion Israel Adesanya. But Tsarukyan doesn't think that will matter much once the cage door closes.

“You cannot compare Adesanya with me, and you cannot compare Volkanovski with me,†Tsarukyan told reporters during UFC 331 Media Day. “They're completely different fighters. Yeah, he has power, and he has good striking, but I'm better everywhere. So with my wrestling and my striking that I can mix, I can always strike [with] him.â€

That being said, Tsarukyan acknowledges that Ruffy is a dangerous opponent. The former Fighting Nerd enters the fight off back-to-back knockout wins over Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler, and has some of the most dangerous striking in the division. But Tsarukyan believes he really only has to be concerned early in the fight.

“He has a really awkward style,†Tsarukyan said. “I've never faced anybody like his striking. So it's gonna be a little bit dangerous first round, but second round should be good.â€

Tsarukyan is currently on a five-fight winning streak and seems to be the obvious next lightweight title challenger should he win on Saturday. However, former champion Ilia Topuria has already begun lobbying for a rematch with Justin Gaethje, claiming Gaethje cheated by loading his gloves. Tsarukyan thinks that's nonsense.

“He's complaining about gloves, but [it's] just [an] excuse,†Tsarukyan said.

Similarly, Tsarukyan has no concerns about Topuria leapfrogging him for the title shot after he wins on Saturday, giving a succinct response when asked if beating Ruffy guarantees him a fight with Gaethje.

UFC 331 takes place this Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, headlined by a flyweight title fight between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.

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MMA

Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: Lets do it

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5 minutes ago

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October 28, 2026

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Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: 'Let's do it'
Floyd
Mayweather Jr. is open to a rematch against Conor
McGregor.

The unbeaten former boxing champion recently reflected on their
2017 bout, saying it elevated McGregor's profile and generated
considerable financial rewards for both men.

Floyd Mayweather discusses possible Conor McGregor rematch nine
years after 2017 boxing match

Mayweather stopped McGregor by technical knockout in the 10th
round, improving his professional record to 50-0. He has since
competed in several exhibitions and remains interested in facing
the Irishman again.

“Actually, I think me and Conor McGregor may lock up again. Yeah,
absolutely,†Mayweather said during an appearance on the “PBD
Podcast.†“I don't live with Conor McGregor, he's not my friend. I
don't have to see him. It's just when it's time for us to do
business and lock up, let's do it.â€

Mayweather's exhibition opponents have included Japanese kickboxer
Tenshin
Nasukawa, social media personalities Logan Paul
and Deji, and former MMA fighter Aaron
Chalmers. “Money†has also faced John Gotti
III twice.

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MMA

Nina Drama denies being forced to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview

Published

12 hours ago

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October 27, 2026

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Nina Drama denies being 'forced' to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview
Nina-Marie Daniele says she wore a hijab for her interview with
Movsar
Evloev out of respect.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Daniele's
decision to wear a hijab while interviewing the Muslim fighter drew
criticism online, prompting her response.

Nina-Marie Daniele explains why she wore a hijab for Movsar
Evloev interview ahead of UFC 333

During the interview, Evloev said his religious beliefs would
prevent him from looking at her if she were dressed less modestly.
Daniele defended her choice, explaining that she wanted to make him
comfortable. She also said participation in her interviews is
voluntary and that no one forced her to wear the hijab.

“At the end of the day it's always about respect,†Daniele wrote on
X. “I have so much respect for all my Muslim friends. I love
learning about cultures and I'm so grateful for the UFC for giving
me the opportunity to travel the world. Some people are offended
and that's fine, this came from a place of respect and wanting to
be able to make Movsar
Evloev comfortable in our interview. My interviews are not
‘mandatory' and never were, the fighters that show up show up
because they want to and I was in no way shape or form ‘forced' to
do anything. Thank you to Movsar and his team for giving me the
opportunity to show the fans a different side of him! I'm so happy
people are enjoying the interview!â€

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MMA

Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

Published

14 hours ago

on

October 27, 2026

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Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

Anthony Pettis is out of his scheduled RAF debut against Donald Cerrone and is instead hunting bigger game.

On Tuesday, Real American Freestyle announced that Pettis will challenge Arman Tsarukyan for his RAF middleweight crossover title in the main event of RAF 15, which takes place on Nov. 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago.

RAF 15 was originally set to be headlined by Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong. That bout now serves as the co-main event.

MMA Fighting confirmed that Tsarukyan is still wrestling Neiman Gracie at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 in a non-title bout. Meanwhile, Donald Cerrone is now out of RAF 15 altogether.

Tsarukyan won the vacant RAF crossover middleweight title this past weekend with a tech fall over Dillon Danis at RAF 14 in Las Vegas.

Pettis, meanwhile, has never competed in freestyle wrestling before, and last competed in any combat sport in 2024, losing a unanimous decision to Chris Avila in a boxing match.

Mike Heck contributed to this report.

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