Maurício Ruffy

Chandler opened with leg kicks and wrestling attempts, but Ruffy controlled the striking with jabs and straight rights. Ruffy landed spinning heel kicks that badly hurt Chandler, stuffed a desperation takedown, then swarmed with punches as Chandler turtled on the ground, forcing the stoppage at 4:29 of Round 1.

Key moments

• Chandler started with leg kicks and takedown attempts; Ruffy answered with stiff jabs and straight rights.
• Ruffy's spinning heel/wheel kicks buzzed and then badly hurt Chandler.
• Chandler shot for a desperation takedown; Ruffy avoided it and poured on the attack.
• Ground-and-pound with Chandler turtled forced the TKO at 4:29 of Round 1.

Ruffy weathered an early storm from Fiziev before taking over in the second round, dropping the Azerbaijani with a clean right cross late in the frame. Fiziev rose but collapsed under the follow-up onslaught, forcing the referee to wave it off with about 30 seconds left in the round.

Key moments

• Survived Fiziev's pressure and leg kicks through a competitive opening round
• Landed the fight-changing right cross in the closing minute of round two
• Swarmed with finishing strikes as Fiziev wobbled back to his feet

In the UFC Paris co-main event, Saint-Denis grounded Ruffy early and dominated with his grappling, controlling top position across the fight. He took the back in the second round and locked up a rear-naked choke to force the tap, handing Ruffy his first professional loss.

Key moments

• Saint-Denis secured an early takedown and controlled most of round one
• Ruffy struggled to create space or threaten off his back
• Saint-Denis climbed to the back and sank the choke in round two

Ruffy flatlined veteran Bobby 'King' Green with a perfectly timed spinning wheel kick to the head just over two minutes into the first round. The finish was the 16th wheel-kick knockout in UFC history and a leading 2025 Knockout of the Year contender.

Key moments

• Landed a clean spinning wheel kick flush to Green's head
• Green dropped instantly, prompting an immediate stoppage
• 16th wheel-kick KO in UFC history, drawing Edson Barboza comparisons
• Earned a Performance of the Night bonus

At Madison Square Garden, Ruffy outpointed the durable James Llontop over three rounds to win a unanimous decision (29-28 across the board).

Key moments

• Controlled the striking exchanges over three rounds
• Llontop's toughness dragged Ruffy into his first decision
• First pro fight to reach the judges

On his UFC debut in Rio de Janeiro, Ruffy battered Jamie Mullarkey, bloodying his nose before finishing with a barrage of strikes late in the first round. The flashy performance drew 'young Conor McGregor' comparisons.

Key moments

• Dominated the striking from the opening bell on debut
• Broke Mullarkey down with volume and power
• Finished with a late first-round flurry for the TKO

In a disciplined three-round performance at the UFC APEX, Ruffy ground down Magomedaliev with heavy low kicks through the third round, compromising his opponent's movement before taking top position and finishing with ground-and-pound.

Key moments

• Turned the fight with persistent low kicks in round three that visibly damaged Magomedaliev's lead leg.
• Secured top position when Magomedaliev attempted a spinning elbow late in round three.
• Finished with grounded punches at 4:45 of round three to earn his UFC deal.

In the tournament final of Centurion FC: Rex Redemptor, Ruffy stopped the experienced Ronys Torres in round two to claim the championship, completing a two-fight night in Rio de Janeiro.

Key moments

• Competed in the tournament final after defeating Rotaru Lascar earlier the same night.
• Pushed through to a second-round finish, showing durability and finishing instinct.
• Claimed the Centurion FC tournament championship at 170 lbs.
• One of his final regional fights before being booked for Dana White's Contender Series.

In the tournament semi-final of Centurion FC: Rex Redemptor in Rio de Janeiro, Ruffy stopped Moldovan fighter Corneliu 'The Beast of Moldavia' Rotaru Lascar in the first round to advance to the championship bout later that night.

Key moments

• First of two fights Ruffy won on the same evening in a Centurion FC tournament.
• Stopped Rotaru Lascar, nicknamed 'The Beast of Moldavia,' with punches late in round one.
• Demonstrated ring fitness by returning for a second bout the same night.
• Advanced to the tournament final, which he also won by TKO.

Ruffy stopped Lucas Costa Jesus with elbows in just under two minutes at Batalha MMA 13 in Osasco, São Paulo.

Key moments

• Lightweight bout at 154 lbs at Batalha MMA 13 in Osasco, São Paulo.
• Notable for being stopped by elbows rather than Ruffy's usual punching power.
• Part of a consistent string of first-round finishes on the Brazilian circuit.