Alexander Volkanovski unwittingly became the surprise target of Friday’s UFC 331 press conference – while American prodigy Gable Steveson was also branded a “rapist” during one of several other tense moments.
Despite already being in camp for his next UFC featherweight defence, Volkanovski has graciously jetted into Los Angeles, California this week to corner new Brazilian team-mate Mauricio Ruffy.
In the UFC 331 co-main, Ruffy throws down against Arman Tsarukyan in what is being billed as a lightweight title eliminator.
And given the high stakes involved, Volk has agreed to be cageside for Ruffy, just as he was the striker’s last appearance on the White House lawn.
Yet while ‘The Great’ may himself not be fighting until late October – when he defends against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 – the Windang warrior still found himself in the firing line on Friday.
And it came when Ruffy was quizzed by a journalist about his recent claim of being ready to go five rounds with Tsarukyan, thanks to the grappling work – and takedown defence – completed this camp with Team Volkanovski.
UFC 331: Van v Pantoja 2 | SUN 20 SEPTEMBER 11AM AEST | The UFC returns to Los Angeles for a blockbuster title showdown, as Joshua Van defends his crown against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch for the ages. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
‘I’m gonna whoop his ass again’ | 01:50
At which point, the Armenian interrupted.
“We need someone to teach Volk how to wrestle first,” Tsarukyan deadpanned.
Unsurprisingly, the comment surprised Ruffy, who hit back immediately via an interpreter.
“I know you’re playing this for the crowd,” he told Tsarukyan. “But I’ve gotta tell you, you have to respect a champion like Alexander Volkanovski. He’s an amazing guy, an amazing champion, you’ve got to respect that.
“And if you’re so confident in wrestling, that you can beat me, I’ll tell you I’m just as confident … we’re going to see who comes out on top.”
But still, Tsarukyan wasn’t finished.
“Nobody said I don’t respect him,” he said of Volkanovski. “I just said he doesn’t know how to wrestle.”
Ruffy: “After all the storied history he has built in the UFC, after everything he has done even with Islam [Makhachev], you’re gunna tell me he doesn’t know wrestling? Ok, bro.”
Elsewhere, Steveson wasn’t only widely booed by the LA crowd, but also copped barbs from his own rival, Sean Sharaf.
Earlier this month, Sharaf took issue with the undefeated prospect being featured by UFC content creator Nina Drama, especially given the serious accusation tied to the Olympic gold medalist’s 2019 sexual-assault allegation that did not result in criminal charges.
It was a line he doubled down on at the press conference, and after his rival was first on the microphone.
Asked initially about the boos, and if he was surprised, Steveson said: “No, I love seeing all these beautiful faces here. You came to watch us on stage … what a great opportunity to see us on this stage, to cheer and boo for us. How does it feel to pay for this ticket?”
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He then suggested it was “an honour to be here, I’m so excited for you guys to watch another showcase of me. Man, this is amazing. Look at y’all. I appreciate it”.
Sharaf was then asked about his dislike for Steveson.
“I don’t dislike the guy,” he replied. “[But] nobody likes a rapist. This guy raped a woman in 2019 and that’s why everyone is booing him. You can’t do that s***. It’s wrong.”
To which Steveson responded.
“He’s already lost by saying that,” the hyped prospect said. “He’s a coward. He’s already looking at a way out of this opportunity. He’s here because of me. This is a great opportunity to go against Gable Steveson.”
Sharaf: “Ok, why did you turn down the White House card fight?”
Steveson: “I actually didn’t get offered the White House. What are you talking about?”
Sharaf: “Yeah, OK, loophole”.
Steveson: “That’s a good name right? That’s a great name. And I see a lot of people cheering but we’ll see how many people are cheering when he gets flatlined.”
Elsewhere, UFC flyweight champ Joshua Van promised to announce himself as the division’s greatest ever this Sunday by again beating former division king Alexandre Pantoja.
“Man, I can’t wait, I get to whoop his ass again,” he said. “He was the greatest of all time before he fought me. Now we’re going to show the world why we the best flyweight.”
Tsarukyan, meanwhile, also confirmed he has been promised a shot at UFC lightweight champ Justin Gaethje with victory on Sunday.
He also shrugged off Ruffy’s claims about how working with Volk has him ready to go five rounds.
“I don’t need five rounds,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m going to finish him in the second round”.
Any message for Gaethje?
UFC 331: Van v Pantoja 2 | SUN 20 SEPTEMBER 11AM AEST | The UFC returns to Los Angeles for a blockbuster title showdown, as Joshua Van defends his crown against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch for the ages. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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“I’m going to send him a message after this fight”
Ruffy, meanwhile, also hit back at Tsarukyan’s claim of being the division’s uncrowned champion.
“Arman is not a champion,” he said. “You are not a champion until you have the belt. I think everyone probably agrees with me and I will not consider myself a champion until I fight for a championship and get the belt.
Tsarukyan: “You’ll never fight for the belt.”
Ruffy: “Guys, I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow but I know who brought me this far. My saviour, Jesus Christ.”