Ruffy dismisses social media scrutiny over Fighting Nerds split ahead of White House bout
Mauricio Ruffy confirms he maintains strong ties with the Brazil-based team while establishing a private facility in Sao Paulo for his upcoming UFC Freedom 250 fight.
Mixed martial artist Mauricio Ruffy has stated he is unconcerned by social media criticism regarding his departure from the Fighting Nerds training camp ahead of his upcoming bout against Michael Chandler. Ruffy, who is preparing to face the former Bellator champion at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, confirmed he maintains a good relationship with the Brazil-based team. He explained that he now trains in a private gym in his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a dedicated team focused solely on his career.
Ruffy, who burst onto the UFC scene in 2023 as part of the Fighting Nerds, addressed the speculation that began circulating late last year regarding his split from the group. Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, he noted that while he saw "trash talk on social media," he remains unbothered by the commentary. He emphasised that his decision to prioritise his own career development was understood by his fanbase, stating he had not lost support because supporters recognise he is doing what is best for his professional trajectory.
The Brazilian fighter revealed that for his previous bout against Rafael Fiziev in February, which he won by TKO, he trained with Alexander Volkanovski in Australia. This period was dedicated to evolving his wrestling game, a skill set he intends to test against Chandler. Ruffy described his current setup in Sao Paulo as a "dream" come true, having built a space 100 percent focused on him with fighters and coaches dedicated exclusively to his needs.
Ruffy acknowledged Chandler’s characteristics, specifically his "heavy hands" and takedown efforts, and stated his camp is preparing specifically for these attributes. He described the matchup as straightforward, noting that the sport offers clarity on what to train for such an opponent. Ruffy expressed confidence that his time in Australia and his current private gym setup have adequately prepared him for Chandler’s takedown-heavy style.
Despite the structural changes to his training environment, Ruffy affirmed his enduring connection to the Fighting Nerds community. He confirmed he stays in contact with members such as Pablo Sucupira and described the group as "great friends." He stated, "I'll always be a fighting nerd," indicating that his identity within the sport remains unchanged despite the shift to a private training arrangement. The bout is scheduled for June 14.
