The spinning wheel kick that propelled Maurício Ruffy to UFC stardom
In short: Before entering the UFC, Maurício Ruffy dominated the Brazilian regional scene with a staggering eight knockouts. Now a rising lightweight force, his career has been defined by explosive finishes, including a signature spinning wheel kick that earned him prestigious accolades and cemented his reputation as a dangerous finisher.
Born on June 17, 1996, Maurício de Lima Santos—known professionally as Maurício Ruffy—has rapidly ascended the UFC lightweight rankings. His journey to the top included a pivotal performance on October 3, 2023, during Season 7 of Dana White's Contender Series. Competing against prospect Raimond Magomedaliev, Ruffy secured a third-round technical knockout, earning him a direct contract with the UFC. Prior to this breakthrough, he held an 8–1 record on the Brazilian regional circuit. This impressive run included a second-round stoppage of veteran Ronys Torres.
Ruffy's fighting style is characterized by high-impact striking, a trait reflected in his ranking as having the second most knockdowns-per-minute in the UFC lightweight division history, at 2.61. This efficiency was on full display during his bout against King Green at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025, where he secured a first-round knockout via a spinning wheel kick. This specific performance earned him a Performance of the Night award and contributed to his recognition as a top nominee for various Knockout of the Year honors. This victory at UFC 313 earned him additional accolades, including being named the second-best knockout of the year. He also received a Performance of the Night award for his win over Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 301.
Beyond his individual success, Ruffy is deeply connected to his roots and his team, Fighting Nerds. His professional moniker, Ruffy, was a gift from his late brother, inspired by the character from the series One Piece. As his career progressed, Ruffy looked toward expansion, announcing in 2025 plans to open a new training facility in New Hampshire to support his teammates and the broader athletic community. His recent trajectory includes a technical knockout victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325. This win secured him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Maurício Ruffy
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