Lightweight knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy has called for a sensational showdown with Conor McGregor after knocking out Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325
Mauricio Ruffy sent a chilling message to Conor McGregor just moments after brutally knocking out Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325.
The 29-year-old has been a joy to watch since making his promotional debut back in 2024 following a successful stint on the Contender Series. Ruffy has established himself as a must-watch fighter due to his jaw-dropping fighting style. The Brazilian’s versatile striking and destructive power has made him a fan-favourite.
Such style has seen him compared to former dual-weight champion McGregor. Ruffy knocked out Jamie Mullarkey on his UFC debut back in 2024, before following it up with a decision win over James Llontop. However, it was his win over King Green last March which put him on the map after he rendered the American unconscious with a spinning wheel kick.
But he was made to start from scratch after he suffered his first UFC defeat to Benoit Saint Denis back in September. The 29-year-old returned to the Octagon on Saturday night in Sydney, but was handed a tough test in striking specialist Fiziev.
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Ruffy, though, showed why he’s one of the biggest 155lb stars on the planet after he knocked his rival out in the second round. The Brazilian wasted no time in calling his next shot after demanding a fight with McGregor and Paddy Pimblett. “Hunter (Campbell), Dana White, you see me fight and know my style,” Ruffy said through an interpreter in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “How about Conor McGregor or Paddy Pimblett? Let me put on a show.” His comments came just moments after he dedicated the win to his brother – who tragically took his own life.
Fans were in for a treat with the aforementioned showcase, and it well and truly lived up to expectations. Fiziev began the contest on the front foot, charging his foe down and making Ruffy work against the cage. Fiziev’s leg kicks in the opening exchanges caught the Brazilian off guard, and it proved to be the money shot for him early doors.
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Fiziev threatened to walk away with the round after digging some hard shots to the body in the clinch, but Ruffy rallied and had a lot of success in the second half of the round, landing some nice combinations up top and utilising his jab. The 29-year-old seemingly wobbled his rival towards the back end of the round with a stinging right hand
Ruffy’s corner could sense that the opposition was starting to tire after they demanded a little more from their man in the second. The striking behemoth rushed to the centre of the cage after the bell for the second round sounded and immediately took control of proceedings, opening with a spinning back kick. The jab was Ruffy’s bread and butter in the first, and after he calmed down a tad in the second, he once again got back to work and began teeing off with the jab.
The beginning of the end came after Fiziev ate a brutal right hand. A crestfallen and batter Fiziev tried his best to stay in the fight, but the Brazilian smelled blood as he landed a barrage of punches which sent his rival to the floor. The 32-year-old rose to his feet, before falling to his knees again. And after another flurry of strikes, the referee eventually stepped in and waved off the contest.
But it was Ruffy’s post-fight speech which caught the attention of the fans after calling out McGregor. The Irishman has not fought since suffering a nasty leg injury in his defeat to Dustin Poirier back in 2021. McGregor was due to return to the octagon back in 2024 against Michael Chandler – following their stint as opposing coaches on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ reality series – but was forced to pull out due to injury.
Last July, US President Donald Trump stunned fans after unveiling plans to stage a UFC event on the grounds of the White House. It was at that moment the former dual-weight UFC champion confirmed his interest in the event. There were fears that the 37-year-old former dual-weight champion would miss the event altogether after he was handed a ban after missing three drug tests in 2024, but he is free to return on March 20. A potential clash between Ruffy and McGregor would certainly be must-watch TV, but whether it comes to fruition is another thing.
