Mauricio Ruffy shocks the world with an Edson Barboza style spinning kick that sent King Green to the shadow realm!
Tonight at UFC 313, Brazilian prospect Mauricio Ruffy added his name to that growing list of highlight-reel artists. The Fighting Nerds team member needed just over two minutes to dispatch veteran King Green with a spinning kick that would make Edson Barboza proud.
The matchup initially seemed like a classic test for an up-and-comer. Green brought almost 50 professional fights worth of experience into the octagon. He has shared the cage with some of the division’s best fighters over his 16-year UFC career.
Meanwhile, Ruffy entered as the hot prospect with just two UFC appearances under his belt. But experience doesn’t always trump youth and explosiveness. The Dana White Contender Series graduate showed why he is considered one of the most exciting lightweight prospects by delivering a statement performance that had the T-Mobile Arena crowd on their feet.
King Green opened the fight cautiously, trying to establish his range. He was however, visibly holding back, trying to see how he can get into striking range for the longer Ruffy. Hs opponent patiently waited for his opportunity, missing with an early left hook attempt. As the first round progressed, Green struggled to find his boxing range, while Ruffy landed a clean straight right hand that got his attention. Then came the moment that will dominate highlight reels for weeks to come.
HOLY S–T ARE YOU KIDDING 😳@RuffyMMA started the main card on fire with this epic knockout 👊
— UFC (@ufc) March 9, 2025
[ WATCH #UFC313 HERE 👉 https://t.co/c994LaRuyo ] pic.twitter.com/5W6hYl1n0J
Just over two minutes into the opening round, Ruffy unleashed a perfectly timed spinning kick that connected flush (Edson Barboza vs. Tim Etim flashback!). Green dropped to the canvas unconscious before the referee could even step in. The official time was 2:07 of round one.
Not content with just the spectacular finish, Mauricio Ruffy grabbed the microphone during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. The Brazilian had clearly planned his next move carefully.
“Hey Las Vegas! Absolutely. What do you think: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Beneil Dariush, a Fight Night main event.”
The callout makes perfect sense for the rising star. #9 ranked Dariush represents the perfect stepping stone into the lightweight rankings. Though coming off two consecutive losses to top competition in Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, Dariush remains a respected name and dangerous test. If UFC matchmakers grant Ruffy’s wish, fans could see this exciting prospect headlining a card sooner rather than later!
(Image Credit: UFC News – X)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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