Vaunted mixed martial arts commentator Jon Anik holds high praise for Mauricio Ruffy, the quickly ascending Brazilian prospect.
Mauricio Ruffy May Just Be Next Big Thing at 155
Known today as arguably the most stacked division in the sport, the UFC’s lightweight class has produced a bevy of all-time greats, as well as some of the most entertaining competitors fans have ever witnessed. Anik believes Mauricio Ruffy may just be the category’s next streaking star.
Speaking with Bloody Elbow, the commentary booth staple lauded the Fighting Nerds standout for his viral stoppage of King Green at UFC 313, saying that Ruffy has the most potential out of everyone from the gym. He also gave much credit to Nerd’s coaching staff and their ability to bring out the best in their pupils.
“I will say, Mauricio Ruffy (has the highest ceiling from that team,”) Anik began. “So, Pablo Sucupria is the head coach of the Fighting Nerds, and you have a lot of these head coaches like Morne Visser and they’re able to extract incredible things out of their athletes.”
Anik then goes on to further voice his admiration for Ruffy’s performance in Las Vegas last weekend, detailing his reaction to the eye-opening first-round knockout.
“But if you’re just peeling back the athlete, right, in terms of just the god given gifts… Mauricio Ruffy is a sight to behold, bro,” he said I don’t recall reacting to a knockout ever like that, holding an ‘OH’ as long as I did this weekend.”
Mauricio Ruffy Has Looked Largely Perfect Inside Octagon
Climbing his way into the promotion with a third-round finish over Raimond Magomedaliev on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023, Mauricio Ruffy has gone a perfect 3-0 inside the cage, including further knockouts of Jamie Mullarkey and the aforementioned King Green. While he did encounter the first real test of his UFC tenure at UFC 309 against James Llontop, “One Shot” has gone mostly unopposed in the biggest mixed MMA company in the world.
In his post-fight interview at UFC 313, the Brazilian openly issued a challenge to perennial lightweight contender Beneil Dariush, a challenge that the seasoned pugilist has since responded to.
