Nurmagomedov calls Tsarukyan elite but tempers praise after UFC 331 win
The short version
- Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy with a first-round elbow at UFC 331.
- Usman Nurmagomedov called the performance only decent, saying adjustments are standard in MMA.
- Nurmagomedov still ranks Tsarukyan among the best fighters in the world.
- Nurmagomedov, a former Bellator and PFL champion, expressed interest in a future fight with Tsarukyan.
Usman Nurmagomedov says Arman Tsarukyan belongs among the world's best, though he downplayed the Armenian's first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy.
Arman Tsarukyan made a statement at UFC 331, stopping Mauricio Ruffy with a first-round elbow knockout. The win strengthened his case to be considered the top contender in the UFC lightweight division.
Usman Nurmagomedov, the former Bellator and PFL lightweight champion, was not fully sold on the performance. He described it as decent and said Tsarukyan simply adjusted when his expected grappling-heavy approach did not pan out, something any high-level fighter should be able to do.
Still, Nurmagomedov made clear he rates Tsarukyan highly. He said the Armenian is one of the best fighters in the world and that opponents would be making a serious mistake to dismiss his striking.
The two have been involved in an ongoing feud, and speculation about a future matchup between them continues to build. Nurmagomedov did not reveal his plans but signaled openness to the fight, saying the pair would settle things when the time comes.
