Latest news with #MauricioRuffy
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'One Shot' origin: Mauricio Ruffy explains who he is and why 'Brazilian Conor McGregor' label isn't all wrong
PLAISTOW, N.H. – Mauricio Ruffy enjoyed the action as punches flew back and forth. But this time, he wasn't in the fight. He was a spectator as Jeffrey Viel and Dylan McIllrath dropped the gloves. Ruffy didn't quite understand the rules, though longtime friend Yann Oliveira and fellow UFC fighter Connor Matthews were able to help fill in the knowledge gaps. Over 4,000 miles away from the Brazilian town of Coruripe, Alagoas, where he grew up, Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) attended his first hockey game as the Boston Bruins battled the Washington Capitals. Ruffy was personally invited to the game by Bruins forward Jakub Lauko, a massive UFC fan from the Czech Republic, who saw on social media that Ruffy was in town. Being recognized and respected on an international level was not unique to the situation. It has quickly become Ruffy's way of life over the past 11 months since he made his UFC debut. 'To you guys, Mauricio Ruffy is new, but this has been going on for a long time' Ruffy recently told MMA Junkie through interpreter and fellow fighter Olivieira. 'This construction has been going on for a long time, building who Mauricio Ruffy is.' Ruffy is reaching new heights by the week. He plans to open his own branch of the Fighting Nerds with Oliveira in New Hampshire in the coming weeks – something that would've been impossible just months ago. Who is Mauricio Ruffy? While the true tale of Ruffy is 28 years long and counting, fight fans are still acquainting themselves to a near-contender who has only had three UFC fights. Just last fight, Ruffy told the world that his last name isn't even Ruffy. It's Mauricio de Lima Santos. The name Ruffy is based off anime character Monkey D. Luffy. 'I'm fairly new here,' Ruffy said. 'But like I told you guys before, there's still a lot to come. There's a lot that's going to happen. You guys still have a lot to see. You haven't seen anything yet.' Ruffy is a key member of the skyrocketing Fighting Nerds team, headed by coaches Pablo Sucupira and Vlavio Alvaro, and also featuring Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, and Carlos Prates among others. Ruffy remembers the first time he threw on a Fighting Nerds shirt – right before he was immediately told it's not that easy. 'I walked in and I saw Caio Borralho training with Pablo,' Ruffy said. 'They were sparring. I loved everything I saw and was watching. I looked at Pablo and said, 'Hey, I'm putting the shirt on. From now on, I am a Fighting Nerd. I'm part of the team. Pablo just kind of stopped him in his tracks and said, 'Hold on. Hold on a second. We don't want any rotten fruits in our orchard here. Now we're going to take this nice and slow. We're going to see if you can hang. You've got to show up and not miss a single practice for 30 days. If you miss a single practice in 30 days, you're out of here. You're not training with us.' 'I loved the challenge. I loved what I was seeing. I proved myself like I said I would. The rest is history. I did my part and I became part of the Fighting Nerds. Pablo said to me, 'I'm a big fan of yours. I admire you. But for you to be part, you've got to fall into place. You've got to be part of this engine and make it so the thing works smooth. But if you can make this happen, you're part of the team.'' Unlike his Fighting Nerd counterparts, Ruffy's personality is much more contained. He's not chain-smoking cigarettes or barking like a dog. His quiet and polite demeanor isn't his main selling point, no. He's quiet and polite, not radiating an inkling of attention self-seeking. He's generated tremendous buzz and nearly 400,000 Instagram followers almost solely on his fighting style and highlights alone – many of which are knockouts, making good on the 'One Shot' name. 'What you guys saw there, it wasn't even close to everything I've got,' Ruffy said. 'I've got 30 other tricks in my pocket that I can't wait to show you guys. I said from the beginning before I came into the UFC that I'd bring something new, that I'd bring something different to the UFC, something you guys haven't seen before. I've got a lot more to show you guys.' His beatdown of Jamie Mullarkey was quite the first impression. His pummeling of a zombie-like James Llontop was something else. His scintillating spinning wheel kick knockout of King Green at UFC 313 in March is a candidate for Knockout of the Year. The nature of those knockouts combined with his capoeira-karate style, chest tattoos, beard, and quick explosion into the UFC spotlight – Ruffy has drawn comparisons to a certain Irish combat sports legend. While the narrative largely exists online, Ruffy said there's actually some credibility to it – and a relationship with Conor McGregor might become tangible. 'In the construction of Mauricio Ruffy, there was always a little bit of Conor McGregor there,' Ruffy said. 'I can see that. I'm a big Conor McGregor fan. I love McGregor's style. There is a little bit of McGregor there. 'One thing that I want is that when I'm ready to fight Islam Makhachev, when I go to fight him, I want to invite Conor McGregor to be in my corner, so it's us against the Russians. I want Conor McGregor there. I want Conor McGregor there and to be up close and taste the victory for when I beat the Russians. Khabib is going to be there of course, so I want Conor McGregor to be there as part of my corner as well for when I defeat the Russians and put an end to Islam Makhachev.' International Fight Week bound? Immediately after the March victory, Ruffy called out perennial contender Beneil Dariush. According to Ruffy, the UFC is interested and it's up to Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) to accept. 'If Dariush accepts the fight, I'll be ready to go for International Fight Week,' Ruffy said. '… The UFC did show some interest. The UFC seems to like that matchup a lot. I think all it comes down to now is Dariush accepting the fight. If he accepts the fight, I think that's something the UFC will look forward to making happen. We'll see. He's waiting to hear if it's going to happen. On the UFC part, they like the fight. We're just waiting for Dariush. I believe that showing good performance and showing what I'm doing and keep doing what I'm doing shows a lot more than just what the rankings say. When you perform like that, the ranking doesn't matter. On my part, I'm ready to go, waiting for Dariush to accept. Let's go, Dariush.' With the caliber of opponent that Dariush is, the question would be raised of: Three or five rounds? While it would only be his fourth UFC appearance, Ruffy feels more than ready. On paper, many might see it as striker vs. grappler; Ruffy has 11 of 12 wins by knockout and Dariush has eight submissions with nine decisions in 22 victories. Ruffy loves that's the widespread interpretation, finding comfort in perceived secret weapons has he yet to show inside the cage. Perhaps the nickname 'One Shot' isn't just talking about a strike. 'The fans have not had the opportunity to watch me grapple yet and show my abilities to the fans, body against body, and trying to take him down,' Ruffy said. 'What I can do when somebody tries to get on my leg and try to take me down, I'm working on a lot of things. I'm working on ways to show people and surprise people that it's not easy to take me down. I'm working on things. I can grapple. I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeves. I know what I need to do. But I believe that in the grappling department, I'll be able to surprise everybody.'
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 313 bonuses: Mauricio Ruffy's head kick for the ages gets $50K
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card, including one for a vicious head kick finish. After UFC 313, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Las Vegas. Check out the winners below. Performance of the Night: Mauricio Ruffy Mauricio Ruffy def. King Green via knockout (spinning wheel kick) – Round 1, 2:07 Mauricio Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) landed one of the most insane head-kick knockouts in UFC history when he finished striking standout King Green (32-17-1 MMA, 13-12-1 UFC) in the first round. Ruffy's spinning wheel kick was right on the money and drilled Green in the temple to put him out cold. Performance of the Night: Ignacio Bahamondes Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:29 Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) picked up what arguably is the biggest win of his career so far when he submitted Jalin Turner (14-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) midway through the first round with a triangle choke. After he made Turner regret taking him down, Bahamondes, who trains with UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, had his sixth win in seven fights and third straight finish. Fight of the Night: Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Just like in their first fight, it took Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) just a little bit to get warmed up against Rafael Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC). But he came on late once again and held off the slight favorite for a unanimous decision and his utterly ridiculous 14th post-fight bonus in 14 UFC fights. Only twice, has he left the UFC cage without a bonus – but two other times, he's picked up the ultra-rare double bonus to make up for it.
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 313 video: Mauricio Ruffy sleeps King Green with spinning kick Knockout of the Year candidate
Mauricio Ruffy opened the UFC 313 main card with a Knockout of the Year contender against King Green. Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) added to the octagon success of The Fighting Nerds when he uncorked a vicious spinning wheel kick that flatlined Green (32-17-1 MMA, 13-12-1 MMA) at the 2:16 mark of Round 1 in their lightweight bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Check out the replay of Ruffy's handiwork below (via X): MAURICIO RUFFY SPINNING KICK KO ON KING GREEN 😳 #UFC313 — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 9, 2025 MAURICIO RUFFY KNOCKS OUT KING GREEN IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!! WOOOWWW #UFC313 — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2025 With the stellar knockout, Ruffy stays unbeaten in the UFC and is looking to continue climbing the rankings at 155 pounds. 'Las Vegas, Mauricio Ruffy wants to fight Beneil Dariush,' Ruffy told Joe Rogan through an interpreter in his post-fight interview. 'A fight night main event? What do you think?' Up-to-the-minute UFC 313 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy added to UFC 313 in Las Vegas
One of the toughest veterans in MMA will give a rising talent the chance to prove himself at UFC 313 when King Green takes on Mauricio Ruffy. Green and Ruffy have agreed to meet at the March 8 pay-per-view event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking Monday night following an initial report from MMA Mania. The people requested anonymity since the UFC has yet to make an announcement. Green (32-16-1 MMA, 13-11-1 UFC) tangled with a rising star in his most recent bout last year. In July, Green was submitted by Paddy Pimblett in the first round of their lightweight bout at UFC 304. Green, 38, has lost two of his past three bouts. Ruffy (11-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) will be making just his third UFC appearance since earning a contract through Dana White's Contender Series in October 2023. Ruffy, 28, beat Jamie Mullarkey with a flying knee and punches in his UFC debut and most recently claimed a unanimous decision against James Llontop last November. UFC's Michael Chandler says Paddy Pimblett 'definitely a possibility' next Virna Jandiroba, Yan Xiaonan set for UFC 314 clash of contenders Daniel Cormier: Sean O'Malley 'screwed' if he loses to UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili again Charles Oliveira claims UFC was 'straight up disrespectful' before Justin Gaethje title fight With the addition, here is the updated UFC 313 lineup: Champ Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker Iasmin Lucindo vs. Amanda Lemos Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan Chris Gutierrez vs. Jean Matsumoto Francis Marshall vs. Mairon Santos Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos Jhonata Diniz vs. Vitor Petrino King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy added to UFC 313 in Las Vegas
