Justin Gaethje wonders if Mauricio Ruffy has enough experience to take on Arman Tsarukyan.
Ruffy (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) gets a big step up in competition against Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the UFC 331 co-main event on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The winner is expected to challenge UFC lightweight champion Gaethje.
Ruffy earns the big opportunity after Charles Oliveira opted to take time off following the passing of his good friend, UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento. Ruffy is coming off back-to-back TKO finishes of Rafael Fiziev, and Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250.
"As a fan, and even as an athlete that might fight these guys, I'm excited," Gaethje told Demetrious Johnson. "I think Ruffy is on a f*cking tear right now, and his
last two fight were ultimately super, super impressive, and I'm a huge fan of Bobby Green, but he fought Bobby Green and Michael Chandler, who aren't top three in the UFC. So, who has he fought who's in the top 10?"
Tsarukyan on the other hand, has long been considered the No. 1 contender. He defeated Oliveira to earn a title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, but withdrew a day before the fight. He has since quickly submitted Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265 last November.
"With my eyes, it says he's everything that a contender is and has all the skills to pay the bills that he needs," Gaethje said of Ruffy. "But this will be his first ultimate test in the UFC vs. a world-class fighter. I think Arman is world class. Two very different stylistic matchups.
"Styles make matchups, and I don't know what we're going to see. Most likely, Arman's going to take him down. I hope Arman gets hit hard. It would be fun to see. I don't hate Arman. I'd rather him get hit hard than see him get on top of him (Ruffy) and win. If he knocks out Ruffy, I'd be so happy."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Justin Gaethje: Tsarukyan will be Ruffy's 'first ultimate test in the UFC'
