Maurício de Lima Santos (born June 17, 1996), known as Maurício Ruffy, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 18, 2025, he is #14 in the UFC lightweight rankings. == Mixed martial arts career == === Early career === Ruffy acquired a record of 8–1 with eight knockouts competing exclusively on the Brazilian regional scene. This included a second-round knockout over UFC veteran Ronys Torres. === Dana White's Contender Series === Ruffy was then booked to compete on Week 9 of Season 7 of Dana White's Contender Series on October 3, 2023, against highly touted prospect Raimond Magomedaliev. He would win the fight via third-round technical knockout and was awarded a contract by Dana White. === Ultimate Fighting Championship === After earning his contract, Ruffy made his UFC debut at UFC 301 against Jamie Mullarkey on May 4, 2024. He would win the fight via technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award. In his next fight, Ruffy was scheduled to face Charlie Campbell at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024. However, Campbell withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was subsequently replaced by James Llontop in a catchweight bout of 165 pounds. Llontop weighed in 1.2 lbs over the 165 lb catchweight limit and was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Ruffy. Ruffy would win the fight via unanimous decision, marking the first time he would go to the scorecards in his career. Ruffy would then face King Green at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025. He would win the fight via first-round knockout with a spinning wheel kick. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. Ruffy faced Benoît Saint Denis on September 6, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258. He lost the fight via a face crank submission in the second round. Ruffy faced Rafael Fiziev on February 1, 2026 at UFC 325. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round. This fight earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award. == Personal life == Inspired by One Piece, the moniker of Ruffy was given to Maurício by his brother before his first professional fight. In 2025, Ruffy announced plans to expand his team, Fighting Nerds, by opening a new training facility in New Hampshire, to provide better facilities for his teammates and other athletes. == Championships and accomplishments == Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Jamie Mullarkey, King Green and Rafael Fiziev UFC Honors Awards 2025: President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee & Fan's Choice Knockout of the Year Nominee vs. King Green UFC.com Awards 2024: Ranked #4 Newcomer of the Year 2025: Ranked #2 Knockout of the Year vs. King Green Centurion Fight Championship CFC Welterweight Tournament Mega Fight Championship MFC Super Lightweight Championship ESPN 2025 Knockout of the Year vs. King Green at UFC 313 theScore 2025 Knockout of the Year vs. King Green MMA Fighting 2025 Knockout of the Year vs. King Green at UFC 313 LowKick MMA 2025 Knockout of the Year vs. King Green at UFC 313 Bloody Elbow 2025 #2 Ranked Knockout of the Year vs. King Green at UFC 313 MMA Mania 2025 #2 Ranked Knockout of the Year vs. King Green at UFC 313 Uncrowned 2025 #3 Ranked Knockout of the Year vs. King Green at UFC 313 == Mixed martial arts record == == See also == List of current UFC fighters List of male mixed martial artists == Notes == == References == == External links == Professional MMA record for Mauricio Ruffy from Sherdog Mauricio Ruffy at UFC