Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

One of Mixed Martial Arts’ renowned coaches believes Mauricio Ruffy and his team are letting his immense potential go to waste.

Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan clinched a likely title shot with a come-from-behind knockout against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. After a strong start by Ruffy in the opening minutes of the fight, Tsarukyan caught Ruffy with an elbow in the final seconds of Round 1 to finish the action.

It was a stunning result in the co-main event, after many predicted Tsarukyan would utilize a wrestling-heavy approach against Ruffy. But Tsarukyan took advantage of Ruffy’s late-round tentativeness to catch the talented striker with a brutal elbow.

Ruffy suffered his first knockout loss since November 2019, and according to a well-renowned coach, it was a critical mistake that led to the final sequence.

Ray Longo: Mauricio Ruffy made ‘critical mistake’ vs. Arman Tsarukyan

In a recent appearance on The Anik & Florian Podcast, legendary coach Ray Longo scorched Ruffy and his team for letting Tsarukyan back in the fight at UFC 331.

“It looked like when it started it was going to go his way, but you can’t just fall asleep. We’ve seen that a few times,” Longo said of Ruffy.

“Some guys just think, ‘Oh, it’s 10 seconds; guys aren’t going to do anything’, and that is just f—— unacceptable how you can do that. Critical mistake, like holy s—. The bell doesn’t even mean anything. That ref has to step in, and you always have to be on point. I just can’t get over that…

“10 seconds, I’ll just ride it out, and next thing you know he’s on the floor,” Longo continued on Ruffy. “He was just concerned with not getting taken down and had zero respect for anything else. ”

Ruffy will look to bounce back in his next fight after recent wins over Michael Chandler and King Green. Luckily, Ruffy’s recent work with UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski will improve his odds of a bounceback performance.

Can Mauricio Ruffy rebound after UFC 331? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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