The featherweight division is buzzing with anticipation as Alexander Volkanovski and Mauricio Ruffy train side by side in the same camp. Each is preparing for a critical challenge. The challenge will test their wrestling skills. Ruffy, known for his elite striking, has recently left The Fighting Nerds. He linked up with Volkanovski. This decision appears to be turning around his performance. Volkanovski, already a dominant force in his weight class, has also been sharpening his own grappling. He is working closely with grappling expert Craig Jones. This is to enhance his defensive game.
Ruffy's Road to UFC 331
Mauricio Ruffy’s upcoming fight against Arman Tsarukyan is shaping up to be a defining moment in his UFC career. Tsarukyan is no ordinary opponent—his wrestling prowess is second to none in the lightweight division. In 12 bouts, he has compiled 32 takedowns with a 37% success rate and averages a staggering 3.26 takedowns every 15 minutes. His dominance is clear: he has submitted 10 of his 12 opponents, either through takedowns or early stoppages. Ruffy must find a way to manage the damage when taken down, and quickly return to his strong striking range to avoid suffering another major setback.
Ruffy’s struggles on the ground became glaring after a loss to Benoit Saint Denis. He was taken down three times in that fight. He was controlled for nearly five minutes. He eventually submitted. However, since that defeat, he has made significant improvements. In his fights since then, he has not only defended all four takedown attempts. He has also kept his 86% takedown defense rate intact. Despite this progress, Tsarukyan’s aggressive pressure could be a step up in difficulty. Ruffy needs to remain disciplined. He must avoid being overwhelmed by the Armenian’s relentless style.
Volkanovski’s Upcoming Test: Movsar Evloev
Alexander Volkanovski’s next challenge could be Movsar Evloev, a 20-0 undefeated force who dominates fights through his grappling. Evloev’s record tells the story—his 61% takedown accuracy and average of 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes make him a serious threat. Most recently, he faced Lerone Murphy in a grueling 25-minute contest, where he showcased his dominance by securing nine takedowns. Murphy, himself a skilled striker, struggled against Evloev’s relentless ground game, proving that the Russian can handle even the toughest opponents.
Volkanovski, however, has not been easily impressed. His 68% takedown defense is a key factor in his longevity in the division. This was on full display in his battle against Islam Makhachev. Despite competing at a heavier weight class of 155lbs, Volkanovski defended 56% of his opponent’s takedown attempts. His ability to keep the fight standing is especially critical. This is the case when the cage is close. By using his reach to establish underhooks, he forces clinch situations. This consistently disrupts opponents’ ground plans. With ongoing support from Craig Jones, Volkanovski has improved his ground defense. He has also become a more dangerous threat from the bottom.
As both fighters prepare for their upcoming challenges, their training together may prove to be a game-changer. Ruffy could gain valuable insights from Volkanovski’s ground defense. He could also learn from Volkanovski’s grappling strategies. Volkanovski may benefit from facing Ruffy’s evolving wrestling skills in sparring. If they can work together and refine their techniques, the result could be two fighters ready to handle any challenge. This leaves both Tsarukyan and Evloev with their work cut out.
