Ruffy trains with Volkanovski ahead Sept. 19

UFC said on Tuesday that Mauricio Ruffy spent part of his final training camp with Alexander Volkanovski ahead of Ruffy’s Sept. 19 fight, posting photos and video of the session on its social channels. The promotion’s post showed Volkanovski working with Ruffy in sparring drills as Ruffy prepares for UFC 331. Ruffy is scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan on that card, according to the UFC event page. The session linked one of the promotion’s fastest-rising lightweights with its current featherweight champion. ### Which Ruffy fight is this camp aimed at? Mauricio Ruffy is booked to fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, the UFC’s event listing shows. The card is set for Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with the main card scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. EDT. The UFC fighter page for Ruffy lists the matchup as his next bout and identifies him as the No. 7 lightweight. (ufc.com) The UFC rankings page lists Tsarukyan at No. 14 in the promotion’s pound-for-pound standings, while the event page places the Ruffy-Tsarukyan fight on the main card. ### What exactly did the UFC show on Tuesday? (ufc.com) The UFC’s Tuesday post said Ruffy was training with Volkanovski ahead of Sept. 19 and included images and clips from the workout, according to the promotion’s social media update referenced in the source briefing. The material showed Volkanovski assisting in sparring drills during Ruffy’s final camp work. (ufc.com) Tuesday’s post did not announce any change to the bout agreement, venue or date. The promotion’s official event page still lists Tsarukyan versus Ruffy for Sept. 19 in Los Angeles. ### Why does Volkanovski stand out as a camp partner? Alexander Volkanovski is the reigning UFC featherweight champion, according to the promotion’s event archive for UFC 325. (ufc.com) That page shows Volkanovski defeating Diego Lopes by unanimous decision on Jan. 31 in Sydney. The UFC rankings page also lists Volkanovski at No. 2 in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings. (ufc.com) That makes him one of the highest-profile active champions in the promotion and a notable training partner for a contender preparing for a ranked lightweight fight. ### Where does Ruffy come into this fight in his own career? Ruffy’s UFC profile lists a 14-2-0 professional record, with 13 wins by knockout and nine first-round finishes. (ufc.com) The same page says his most recent fight was a win over Michael Chandler on June 14, 2026. UFC’s September matchup feature said Tsarukyan was returning to the Octagon after spending much of 2026 in wrestling competition, and identified the meeting with Ruffy as one of the month’s most anticipated fights. (ufc.com) That framing came from UFC staff writer Spencer Kyte in the promotion’s own preview coverage. (ufc.com) ### What comes next before Sept. 19? UFC 331 is scheduled for Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with Joshua Van defending the flyweight title in a rematch against Alexandre Pantoja in the main event. The UFC event page lists Tsarukyan versus Ruffy on the same card. Sept. 19 is the next fixed date in this story. (ufc.com) The named participants are Mauricio Ruffy, Arman Tsarukyan and Alexander Volkanovski, whose training session appeared in UFC’s Tuesday post ahead of fight week. (ufc.com)