TLDR
- Mauricio Ruffy knocked out Rafael Fiziev in the second round at UFC 325
- The victory earned Ruffy a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus
- Ruffy called out UFC executives to book him for the White House card this summer
- He specifically requested fights against Conor McGregor or Paddy Pimblett
- The win represents a major comeback after Ruffy’s previous loss to Benoit Saint Denis
Sources: BJPenn.com | Bloody Elbow | ESPN
Mauricio Ruffy is asking UFC officials to book him on the upcoming White House card after his knockout victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325 on Saturday night. The Brazilian lightweight finished Fiziev in the second round, earning one of the biggest wins of his career.
Ruffy called out UFC CEO Dana White and executive Hunter Campbell during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “Hunter (Campbell), Dana White, what do you guys think about putting me on the White House?” Ruffy said in Portuguese.
The 26-year-old fighter specifically named two opponents he wants to face at the White House event this summer. “You can put me against Paddy Pimblett or Conor McGregor,” Ruffy said.
Ruffy made it clear which fight interests him most. “That’s for sure: I want Conor McGregor. I think I’m a lot better than Michael Chandler vs. Conor McGregor,” he told reporters.
Bouncing Back From Previous Loss
The victory over Fiziev represents a major comeback for Ruffy after his loss to Benoit Saint Denis earlier in his UFC career. Some fans and analysts had questioned whether Ruffy could compete with top-ranked lightweights following that defeat.
Ruffy silenced those doubts on Saturday night in Australia. He used technical striking to set up an explosive finish, with ESPN grading the performance a B for its precision and power.
The knockout earned Ruffy a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He dedicated the win to his late brother during his post-fight comments, emphasizing themes of mental health and faith.
What Happened in the Fight
The first round between Ruffy and Fiziev featured careful technical striking from both fighters. Fiziev stayed busier and kept Ruffy off-balance with the threat of takedowns.
Ruffy found his rhythm in the second round. He picked his spots and landed precise strikes that gradually broke down Fiziev’s defense.
A straight right hand badly hurt Fiziev midway through the second round. Ruffy followed up with a flurry of strikes until the referee stopped the fight.
ESPN reporter Andreas Hale noted that Ruffy’s precision and power were key factors in the victory. The fight received a B grade for its technical striking that led to an explosive finish.
The UFC White House event is scheduled for this summer, though the promotion has not announced an official date or location. The card is expected to feature high-profile fighters and matchups.
Paddy Pimblett recently called for a rematch against Justin Gaethje after competing at UFC 324. McGregor has been linked to a potential fight with Michael Chandler, though that bout has not been officially scheduled.
Ruffy’s win over Fiziev was part of UFC 325 in Australia, where Alexander Volkanovski defended his featherweight title against Diego Lopes in the main event. The card featured multiple finishes, including Ruffy’s second-round TKO that earned him the bonus money and generated buzz for a potential White House appearance.
