The current UFC Lightweight Champion is Islam Makhachev, who has held the title since October 22, 2022, after defeating Charles Oliveira to win the belt. One fighter keeping a close eye on Makhachev’s reign is none other than rising UFC star, Mauricio Ruffy.
The 28-year-old is not yet in title contention, as he only began his octagon career 11 months ago. Despite that, he’s determined to put an end to Makhachev’s championship run. The surprising part? He wants Conor McGregor in his corner for the biggest fight of his life.
Mauricio Ruffy Aims to Take on Makhachev with McGregor’s Support
Mauricio Ruffy is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the UFC. He gained popularity after an amazing spinning kick knockout at UFC 313. Now, he wants to fight Islam Makhachev, who holds the title in the same division where Ruffy competes.
Despite not yet ranking in the top 15, Ruffy is already formulating ambitious plans. His challenge to Makhachev has gotten people talking on social media, especially since Ruffy is still new to the UFC.
But Mauricio Ruffy isn’t just chasing the championship belt, which makes his goal even more interesting. He also wants Conor McGregor in his corner when he fights Makhachev. This would reignite the rivalry between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is Makhachev’s coach.
Ruffy said that beating Islam is the last big step on his way to becoming a top fighter. He also sees it as a bigger battle between teams—“us versus the Russians.” In an interview, Ruffy said, “When I’m ready to fight Islam Makhachev, when I go to fight him, I want to invite Conor McGregor to be in my corner, so it’s us against the Russians.”
While Ruffy’s ambitions are clear, a fight with Makhachev is still a long way off. Makhachev is focused on defending his title and possibly moving up to welterweight, while Ruffy still needs to climb the lightweight rankings to earn a title shot. However, the conversation around this possible matchup is definitely interesting.
Why Mauricio Ruffy Is the Name Every UFC Fan Should Know
He fights in the lightweight division and already has almost 400,000 followers on Instagram. People call him “One Shot” because he often knocks out his opponents with just one big hit.
While everyone is still talking about his spinning kick that knocked out his opponent at UFC 313, Mauricio Ruffy says there’s more to come. He told his fans that what they saw in that fight wasn’t even close to everything he has now. He added, “I’ve got 30 other tricks in my pocket that I can’t wait to show you guys.”
Plus, the rising star stands out from others with his calm and respectful personality. Unlike some fighters, he doesn’t seek attention or act out. He’s quiet, polite, and focused, letting his skills speak for themselves.
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