Khamzat
Chimaev believes Arman
Tsarukyan is levels above Mauricio
Ruffy.
Tsarukyan (23-3) is scheduled to fight Ruffy (14-2) in a pivotal
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight bout on Sept. 19 at
Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. While Chimaev considers Ruffy one
of the best strikers in the UFC right now, “Borz” believes
Tsarukyan won’t face much adversity if he mixes in his ground game
at UFC
331.
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Chimaev says Tsarukyan’s wrestling and grappling are on a
different level from Ruffy’s
According to Chimaev, Tsarukyan’s wrestling and grappling are
levels above his Brazilian counterpart’s. The former UFC
middleweight champ Chimaev acknowledges Ruffy’s elite striking
ability, but notes that Tsarukyan can hold his own on the feet as
well.
“Ruffy’s a top fighter, I think he is one of the best strikers in
the UFC right now,” Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev. “I think if Arman
works on both levels, there won’t be any problems at all. Arman’s
wrestling and grappling level and Ruffy’s are two completely
different levels. Completely different. [Ruffy] is very good on the
feet. Arman is very good on the feet. Arman feels very confident on
the feet.”
Chimaev and Tsarukyan are close friends and work on their strength
and conditioning together at The Treigning Lab under Sam Calavitta.
They’ve also cornered one another previously, with Chimaev rumored
to be in Tsarukyan’s corner at UFC 331.
Tsarukyan was on the cusp of challenging for UFC gold last year,
but was removed from the title picture after pulling out of his
maiden title fight in the UFC against then-lightweight champ
Islam
Makhachev in January 2025. He has since finished Dan Hooker to
extend his win streak to five straight.
Meanwhile, Ruffy is coming off finishes against Rafael
Fiziev and Michael
Chandler since suffering his lone UFC loss to Benoit St.
Denis last year.