Mauricio Ruffy Bio
Maurício de Lima Santos, known professionally as Maurício Ruffy, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist born on June 17, 1996, in Coruripe, Alagoas. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he has built a reputation as one of the most exciting striking prospects in the division. Training out of São Paulo, Brazil with the Fighting Nerds team, Ruffy carries the ring nickname “One Shot” and is recognized for his knockout power and dynamic striking style.
As of mid-2026, Ruffy holds a verified professional mixed martial arts record and is ranked among the top contenders in the UFC Lightweight division. His career has been marked by rapid progression through the regional Brazilian scene, a successful appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, and a string of post-fight bonuses inside the UFC octagon.
Early Life and Background
Maurício Ruffy was born Maurício de Lima Santos on June 17, 1996, in the city of Coruripe, located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas. He grew up in Brazil before eventually relocating to São Paulo, which has served as his primary base of residence and training throughout his professional career.
From an early age, Ruffy was drawn to combat sports, a path that would eventually lead him to mixed martial arts. His brother, who has since passed away, played an important role in shaping his fighting identity. Before his first professional bout, his late brother gave him the moniker “Ruffy,” inspired by the popular Japanese anime and manga series One Piece. The nickname stuck and has since become his widely recognized ring name.
Path to MMA
Ruffy began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2016, competing in the Lightweight division. During his developmental years, he built his craft on the Brazilian regional circuit, where he compiled a record of eight wins and one loss, with all eight victories coming by way of knockout. This finishing rate quickly established him as a dangerous striker and a fighter to watch within the Brazilian MMA community.
Among his most notable early results was a second-round knockout victory over UFC veteran Ronys Torres, a win that further raised his profile. His performances on the regional scene eventually caught the attention of UFC matchmakers, leading to an invitation to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series, a well-known proving ground for prospective UFC talent.
Mauricio Ruffy Career
Early Career (2016–2023)
During his early professional career, Maurício Ruffy built his résumé almost exclusively in Brazil, fighting on regional shows and steadily refining his striking-based approach. He racked up eight knockout wins during this period, demonstrating finishing ability that would become a defining feature of his fighting style.
His regional success, combined with a high-profile knockout of UFC veteran Ronys Torres, positioned him as a top prospect. By 2023, Ruffy had earned the opportunity to showcase his skills on a larger stage.
Dana White’s Contender Series Breakthrough (2023)
In 2023, Ruffy was booked to compete on Week 9 of Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series, facing highly touted prospect Raimond Magomedaliev on October 3, 2023. The fight served as a key audition for a UFC contract, and Ruffy delivered when it mattered most.
He won the bout via third-round technical knockout, an impressive finish that earned him a UFC contract directly from Dana White. The victory marked the official transition of Ruffy from regional standout to UFC-signed fighter.
UFC Era (2024–Present)
Maurício Ruffy made his UFC debut at UFC 301 on May 4, 2024, against Jamie Mullarkey. He announced his arrival in the promotion with a first-round technical knockout victory, a performance that also earned him his first UFC Performance of the Night award.
He followed this with a unanimous decision win over James Llontop at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024, after original opponent Charlie Campbell withdrew from the bout. The fight marked the first time in Ruffy’s career that he went to the scorecards. On March 8, 2025, Ruffy faced King Green at UFC 313 and delivered a highlight-reel first-round knockout via a spinning wheel kick, earning another Performance of the Night bonus.
Ruffy then faced Benoît Saint Denis on September 6, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 258, where he suffered a second-round submission loss via a face crank. He rebounded on February 1, 2026, at UFC 325, defeating Rafael Fiziev by second-round technical knockout and earning a $100,000 Performance of the Night award. Most recently, on June 14, 2026, at UFC Freedom 250, Ruffy scored a first-round technical knockout over former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler, finishing the fight with a spinning wheel kick and punches.
Style and Strengths
Maurício Ruffy is widely recognized for his explosive striking game, with a particular emphasis on knockout power and dynamic finishing ability. His use of flashy, fight-ending techniques such as the spinning wheel kick has made him a fan favorite, while his orthodox stance, 75-inch reach, and 5-foot-11 frame give him a well-rounded physical profile for the Lightweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ruffy’s most memorable moments are his Contender Series knockout that secured his UFC contract, his spinning wheel knockout of King Green at UFC 313, and his first-round finish of former Bellator champion Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250. He has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses across his UFC tenure, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most action-packed fighters in the division.
Mauricio Ruffy Career Wins
Across his professional career, Maurício Ruffy has accumulated a strong winning record built largely on finishes. His victories span the Brazilian regional scene, Dana White’s Contender Series, and the UFC, where he has continued to add high-profile wins to his résumé.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Ruffy has earned notable wins over Jamie Mullarkey, James Llontop, King Green, Rafael Fiziev, and Michael Chandler. His finishes of Green, Fiziev, and Chandler stand out as signature victories, with the Chandler knockout representing the biggest name on his list at the time. Multiple Performance of the Night awards have accompanied these victories, recognizing his consistent ability to deliver memorable performances.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Ruffy compiled an impressive run on the Brazilian regional circuit, finishing all of his eight victories by knockout. His second-round knockout of UFC veteran Ronys Torres stands out as one of his most significant regional results and a key reason he earned his Contender Series opportunity.
Mauricio Ruffy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ruffy’s immediate family is limited, though he has spoken about the influence of his late brother, who gave him his ring name before his first professional fight.
Personal Life
Ruffy currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil, where he trains with the Fighting Nerds team. In 2025, he announced plans to expand the Fighting Nerds brand by opening a new training facility in New Hampshire, intended to provide improved resources for his teammates and other athletes.
2025 Season Performance
Maurício Ruffy’s 2025 campaign was a defining chapter in his UFC journey, showcasing both his finishing ability and his resilience. He opened the year in spectacular fashion, stopping King Green with a first-round spinning wheel kick knockout at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025, a finish that earned him another Performance of the Night bonus and cemented his reputation as one of the Lightweight division’s most dangerous strikers.
His momentum was tested later in the year when he faced Benoît Saint Denis at UFC Fight Night 258 on September 6, 2025, suffering a second-round submission loss via a face crank. Despite the setback, Ruffy continued to demonstrate his finishing power heading into the next calendar year, posting a strong win over Rafael Fiziev in early 2026.
With a growing list of UFC finishes, multiple post-fight bonuses, and an expanding team infrastructure, Ruffy entered the latter half of his UFC run as a rising contender. His combination of highlight-reel knockouts and continued development positioned him as a fighter to watch in the stacked Lightweight division.
