Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Mauricio Ruffy is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Mauricio Ruffy is a rising Brazilian lightweight MMA fighter in the UFC, known for his devastating knockout power and “One Shot” nickname. He’s making waves in 2026 with an upcoming fight against Rafael Fiziev, building on a pro record of 12-2 full of highlight-reel finishes.
Mauricio Ruffy’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Maurício de Lima Santos |
| Nickname | One Shot, Ruffy |
| Born | June 17, 1996 |
| Age | 29 years |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Turned Pro | September 18, 2016 |
| Net Worth | Around $1 million |
| Salary | UFC base $18k-$110k per fight + bonuses |
| Spouse | Name not publicly |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @ruffy_mma |
Early Career
Mauricio Ruffy kicked off his fighting journey at age 14 in his hometown of Coruripe, Alagoas, Brazil, training in kickboxing before moving to São Paulo. He built hype on the regional scene with an 8-1 record, all wins by knockout except one, including a second-round stoppage of UFC vet Ronys Torres. That run earned him a Dana White‘s Contender Series spot in 2023, where he TKO’d Raimond Magomedaliev in round three to snag a UFC deal.
Professional Career
Ruffy burst into the UFC at UFC 301 in May 2024, smashing Jamie Mullarkey with punches in the first round for a Performance of the Night bonus—his lightweight debut back after welterweight experiments. He followed up at UFC 309 against short-notice James Llontop at catchweight (Llontop missed weight), grinding out a unanimous decision win, his first ever to the judges.
In March 2025 at UFC 313, he stunned with a first-round spinning wheel kick KO over Bobby “King” Green, grabbing another Performance bonus and knockout awards from ESPN, MMA Fighting, and more. That momentum hit a snag in September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258 in Paris, where Benoit Saint-Denis submitted him via face crank in round two—Ruffy’s second career loss. Now at #14 in lightweight as of late 2025, he’s set for UFC 325 on February 1, 2026, against Rafael Fiziev, aiming to rebound and push toward title contention.
His style? Pure striker power, 11 of 12 wins by KO/TKO, training with Fighting Nerds in São Paulo, and he’s expanding the gym to New Hampshire in 2025 for better setups. No submissions in his arsenal, but that knockout ratio (92%) makes him a must-watch. He’s held titles like Centurion FC Welterweight Tournament and MFC Super Lightweight champ pre-UFC.
Mauricio Ruffy’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Mauricio Ruffy’s net worth sits around $1 million, up from earlier estimates thanks to UFC paydays, bonuses, and growing sponsorships. His UFC earnings alone have piled up with performances, and pre-UFC regional wins added steady cash. Expect it to climb post-Fiziev fight if he notches another bonus.
Fight Purses
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Purse | Bonus | Estimated Total |
| Jan 31, 2026 | UFC 325 | Rafael Fiziev | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Sep 6, 2025 | UFC Fight Night 258 | Benoit Saint-Denis | Loss | $18,000 | None | $18,000 |
| Mar 8, 2025 | UFC 313 | King Green | Win (KO R1) | $14,500 | $50,000 | $64,500 |
| Nov 16, 2024 | UFC 309 | James Llontop | Win (Decision) | $18,000 | None | $18,000 |
| May 4, 2024 | UFC 301 | Jamie Mullarkey | Win (TKO R1) | $12,500 | $50,000 | $62,500 |
Endorsements
- Moon Milk & Co – Partnership with this functional beverage and nutrition brand, featuring sugar-free and keto-friendly products aligned with fitness and wellness
- The Fighting Nerds Gym – Co-founder/member of the growing MMA team that also features top prospects like Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, and Carlos Prates
- UFC-Related Partnerships – Official UFC fighter status with associated media appearances and promotional opportunities
- Refused Sponsorships – Notably turned down approximately $9 million from a major Brazilian betting company (equivalent to 48 million reals) because they demanded restrictions on mentioning his Christian faith
- Merchandise & Apparel – Growing opportunities through his personal brand and the Fighting Nerds team merchandise
- Social Media Collaborations – With over 595,000 Instagram followers, Ruffy engages in sponsored posts and promotional content, though specific details remain private
Career Records
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Event | Notes |
| Sep 6, 2025 | Benoit Saint Denis | Loss | Sub (face crank) | 2/2:56 | UFC Fight Night 258 | #12 lightweight |
| Mar 8, 2025 | Bobby Green | Win | KO (wheel kick) | 1/2:07 | UFC 313 | POTN, KO of Year noms |
| Nov 16, 2024 | James Llontop | Win | Unan. Dec. | 3/5:00 | UFC 309 | Catchweight |
| May 4, 2024 | Jamie Mullarkey | Win | TKO (punches) | 1/4:42 | UFC 301 | POTN |
| Oct 3, 2023 | Raimond Magomedaliev | Win | TKO (punches) | 3/4:45 | DWCS S7 W9 | Earned UFC contract |
| May 26, 2023 | Ronys Torres | Win | TKO (punches) | 2/4:21 | Centurion FC | Tournament final |
| May 26, 2023 | Corneliu Rotaru | Win | TKO (punches) | 1/4:23 | Centurion FC | Tournament semi |
| Jun 26, 2022 | Brenno Luiz | Win | TKO | 1/1:26 | Arena Pride MMA 4 | |
| Nov 13, 2019 | Manoel Sousa | Loss | KO (punches) | 2/2:41 | SFT 18 | |
| Jun 22, 2019 | Derlan Marinho | Win | KO (punches) | 1/3:35 | MFC 2 | Won MFC title |
| Dec 15, 2018 | Rafael Silva | Win | TKO (punch) | 2/1:08 | SFT 8 | Catchweight |
| Jun 30, 2018 | Lucas Costa Jesus | Win | TKO (elbows) | 1/1:42 | Batalha MMA 13 | |
| Aug 26, 2017 | Wendson Santos | Win | TKO (punches) | 1/1:04 | Gold Fight 9 | |
| Sep 18, 2016 | Marlon de Souza | Win | TKO (punches) | 1/0:30 | PFC 6 | Pro debut |
FAQs
1. Who is Mauricio Ruffy?
Mauricio Ruffy, real name Mauricio de Lima Santos, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC lightweight division. Born June 17, 1996, in São Paulo, he stands 5’11” with a 75-inch reach and fights orthodox. He trains with Fighting Nerds and holds a professional record of 12-2 as of late 2025.
2. What is Mauricio Ruffy’s UFC record?
Ruffy is 3-1 in the UFC. Wins include TKO over Jamie Mullarkey (UFC 301, 2024), unanimous decision over James Llontop (UFC 309, 2024), and KO over King Green (UFC 313, 2025); his loss was a submission to Benoit Saint Denis (UFC Fight Night 258, 2025).
3. What is the origin of Mauricio Ruffy’s nickname?
Ruffy got his fighting name from his brother before his pro debut, inspired by Monkey D. Luffy from the anime One Piece. The crowd loved it after his first-round knockout, so it stuck. His “One Shot” moniker reflects his power to end fights with a single strike.
4. What are Mauricio Ruffy’s key UFC victories?
Ruffy’s standout UFC wins are first-round TKOs over Jamie Mullarkey (4:42, punches) at UFC 301 and King Green (2:07, spinning wheel kick) at UFC 313, both earning Performance of the Night bonuses. He also decisioned James Llontop at UFC 309.
5. How did Mauricio Ruffy enter the UFC?
Ruffy earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2023 with a third-round TKO over Raimond Magomedaliev. This came after an 8-1 regional record, including tournament wins at Centurion FC.
6. What is Mauricio Ruffy’s overall pro record and style?
Ruffy has 12 wins (11 KO/TKO, 1 decision) and 2 losses (1 KO, 1 sub). Known as a striker, he has 11 knockouts, eight in round one, with sharp boxing, kicks, and power. He averages high striking volume and defense in UFC bouts.
7. What accomplishments has Mauricio Ruffy achieved?
Ruffy won Performance of the Night twice (Mullarkey, Green), Centurion FC Welterweight Tournament, and Mega Fight Championship Super Lightweight title. His Green KO was nominated for 2025 Knockout of the Year by multiple outlets and ranked #14 in UFC lightweights.
8. What is Mauricio Ruffy’s next fight?
As of January 2026, Ruffy is scheduled to face Rafael Fiziev on February 1, 2026, at UFC 325. This follows his loss to Saint Denis in September 2025.
9. Where does Mauricio Ruffy train?
Ruffy primarily trains with Fighting Nerds in Brazil. In 2025, he announced plans to open a new facility in New Hampshire to expand the team and improve training.
10. What is Mauricio Ruffy’s pre-UFC background?
Before UFC, Ruffy went 8-1 on Brazil’s regional scene from 2016-2023, all wins by KO/TKO including over UFC vet Ronys Torres and a same-night tournament sweep at Centurion FC: Rex Redemptor.