# Unpinning the Lightweight Standard: Mauricio Ruffy’s Australian Shift Before Arman Tsarukyan Test

**By Rosa Delgado**  \nPublished September 19, 2026  \nUpdated September 19, 2026

> Before facing Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy reworked his defensive grappling in Australia under head coach Joe Lopez.

Following a defeat against Benoit St. Denis in September 2025, lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy made a pivotal decision: he departed the Fighting Nerds team in Brazil to join featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski’s squad in Australia. That move was designed to address the clear tactical requirement of surviving and thriving against elite wrestlers. As Ruffy prepares for the co-main event of UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, in Los Angeles against powerhouse wrestler Arman Tsarukyan, his coaches report a complete transformation in his defensive capabilities.

Under the guidance of head coach Joe Lopez, Ruffy has fundamentally altered how he reacts when fights touch the canvas. Rather than accepting guard or searching for off-balance submissions from his back, Ruffy has focused on immediate disengagement, hand placement, and defensive scrambling to keep fights standing.

blockquote>Well, it’s just chalk and cheese, Lopez said when reflecting on Ruffy's evolution ahead of the Los Angeles card. You can just see how he’s improving, you know?

Joe Lopez to Submission RadioThe operational change has already yielded tangible results in the Octagon. Ruffy secured stoppage victories over both Rafael Fiziev and Michael Chandler after moving his training base, demonstrating a far sharper ability to keep exchanges in his preferred hitting zone. The progress in the gym has been so pronounced that Lopez claims even Volkanovski—a fighter famous for his relentless pace and defensive stability shown across five-round battles with Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes—finds it difficult to keep the Brazilian pinned during live work.

## Rethinking Mat Strategy Under Joe Lopez

The adjustment in Australia represents a structural shift in how Ruffy approaches defensive grappling. In his earlier outings, Ruffy relied heavily on traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu attachments, often holding onto opponents on the ground rather than fighting to return to his feet.

blockquote>For this fight here, that’s one of our specialties is our defensive wrestling and our scrambles and not accepting the position, Lopez noted. Honestly, he’s picking it up. When he first came, he was still really stuck in his jiu-jitsu type thing where he attached himself to the person. Now, he’s not. He’s training his escapes, getting out, putting his body in the right position, putting his hands in the right position.

Joe LopezWorking alongside Volkanovski has provided Ruffy with daily exposure to high-level cage control and scramble discipline. Volkanovski’s proven ability to weather grueling five-round contests has set a baseline standard for Ruffy's camp as they prepare for Tsarukyan's top-tier wrestling threat.

## Forecast for Ruffy vs. Tsarukyan at UFC 331

**Primary Tactical Pattern:** Arman Tsarukyan will look to initiate takedowns early to neutralize Ruffy’s dangerous striking and establish top position. Ruffy’s primary tactical imperative will be using hand placement and body positioning to fight off initial shots, disengage quickly, and force Tsarukyan to trade at range.

**Decisive Matchup:** The fight hinges on the immediate aftermath of Tsarukyan's first few takedown attempts. If Ruffy succeeds in executing the scramble principles refined in Australia—escaping from underneath and refusing to accept bottom position—Tsarukyan will be dragged into extended striking exchanges where Ruffy possesses the finishing power to turn the fight.

**Strongest Counter-Case:** Tsarukyan’s persistent wrestling control remains among the most formidable in the lightweight division. If Tsarukyan can consolidate top position early in Round 1 and trap Ruffy flat on the canvas, he can neutralize Ruffy’s momentum, wear down his resistance, and dictate the terms of the fight.

**Key Variable to Watch:** If Ruffy reverts to older habits—attaching himself to Tsarukyan from the bottom rather than immediately scrambling up—it will indicate that Tsarukyan’s top pressure has suppressed Ruffy’s defensive adjustments, paving the way for controlled wrestling rounds.

## Sources

- [independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/alexander-volkanovski) — original
- [sherdog.com](https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alexander-Volkanovski-struggles-to-keep-Mauricio-Ruffy-down-coach-says-202558) — original
- [csfd.cz](https://www.csfd.cz/film/1088888-ufc-266-volkanovski-vs-ortega/prehled/) — original