Ruffy targets lightweight title race ahead of Chandler bout

UFC lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy has turned his attention to the heavyweight division of his career as he prepares for a high-stakes bout against former Bellator star Michael Chandler. The Brazilian fighter, who holds a 13-2 record, is scheduled to compete on Sunday at the event referred to as UFC White House.

Ruffy’s ascent in the organisation has been marked by rapid progression since his signing in 2023 following a standout performance on the Dana White’s Contender Series. His early UFC tenure included three consecutive victories, highlighted by a knockout of veteran King Green via a spinning wheel kick, a performance widely cited as a candidate for Knockout of the Year.

The fighter’s trajectory faced a setback in September when he suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC Paris. However, Ruffy has since rebounded with a decisive knockout victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325, a result that has positioned him to re-enter the conversation for the lightweight title.

Currently based in Australia, Ruffy is training alongside UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and his team. The Brazilian has used recent media appearances, including an interview with MMA Fighting, to discuss his personal interests, specifically his passion for the anime series One Piece and its protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy.

With the upcoming bout against Chandler, Ruffy aims to leverage his recent momentum and training camp to secure a significant win. A victory at the Washington D.C. event would solidify his standing in the lightweight division and advance his objective of challenging for the championship belt.