Mauricio Ruffy: The Fighting Nerd Taking the UFC Lightweight Division by Storm

A Rising Force in the UFC

Maurício Ruffy, a Brazilian mixed martial artist born June 17, 1996, built an impressive early career with an 8-1 record, including eight knockouts on the Brazilian regional scene and a notable victory over UFC veteran Ronys Torres.

Since entering the UFC, the Brazilian knockout artist has maintained a perfect record (3-0), demonstrating remarkable dominance and composure while securing two knockout victories.

Recent Achievements

In March 2025, Ruffy delivered one of the year’s most spectacular finishes at UFC 313, executing a perfectly timed spinning wheel kick that knocked out King Green. The impressive victory catapulted his popularity, with his Instagram following surging beyond 500,000.

Ruffy is part of the successful Fighting Nerds team from São Paulo, alongside teammates Jean Silva, Carlos Prates, and Caio Borralho. He is now scheduled for a pivotal co-main event against Benoît Saint Denis, which could propel him into high-profile lightweight division matchups.

Future Prospects

Following his dominant performance against Green, Ruffy’s stock has risen significantly, with reports indicating he’s already been offered a fight against Justin Gaethje and is expecting to face other highly ranked opponents in the near future.

Experts have noted similarities between Ruffy’s style and vintage Conor McGregor, particularly in his wide karate stance, dexterity, speed, and precision. Despite his contrasting demeanor to McGregor’s, analysts believe Ruffy possesses the potential to become a UFC champion.

The Road Ahead

A victory in his upcoming fight could earn Ruffy a shot at a top 5 opponent in the lightweight division. His impressive record of 11 knockouts in 12 professional wins speaks to his finishing ability and potential to continue climbing the rankings.