Volkanovski visibly heartbroken as teammate Ruffy is stopped by Tsarukyan at UFC 331

Alexander Volkanovski’s anguish was plain to see from the corner at UFC 331 on Saturday as his teammate Mauricio Ruffy was stopped by Arman Tsarukyan via back-to-back elbows at 4:56 of the opening round in their lightweight contest. Footage of the featherweight champion’s reaction has since spread widely across social media.

Volkanovski, who was joined in Ruffy’s corner by former UFC lightweight Brad Riddell, was visibly stunned as Tsarukyan delivered the fight-ending blows. The moment captured the weight of a close coaching relationship that had developed only recently — Ruffy had left Brazilian gym Fighting Nerds after a loss to Benoit St. Denis last year and relocated to Australia to train under Volkanovski.

Despite the defeat, there were signs that the gym switch had yielded results. Ruffy’s takedown defence held up well throughout the first round against Tsarukyan, suggesting meaningful progress in his defensive wrestling since making the move.

The loss is Ruffy’s second inside the UFC and deals a setback to his title ambitions in the lightweight division. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, strengthens his position as one of the most dangerous contenders at 155 pounds.

For Volkanovski, attention will now shift back to his own career. The Australian is set to defend the featherweight title against unbeaten Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi in October.