Mauricio Ruffy Explains Islam Makhachev Callout, Targets Bobby Green Next
There was a method behind the madness of Mauricio Ruffy’s post-fight callout of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev last weekend.
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Ruffy has made a habit of knocking out sparring partners of high-profile fighters. Last year, he scored a first-round stoppage of Corneliu Lascar Rotaru, who has trained with Irish superstar Conor McGregor.
“A few months before receiving the invitation to the Contender Series, I broke my left hand in the first fight of the Centurion FC Grand Prix, when I knocked out Conor McGregor sparring partner Corneliu Lascar,” he said. “Then I had a very difficult task in the finals defending the takedowns of former UFC fighter Ronys Torres only using my hips and footwork. It was a hell of a challenge, but I defended all his takedown attempts and knocked him out in the second round. That´s why when the UFC invited me to the Contender Series my hand was not healed yet.”
Aware that he has a lot to prove before facing the champion, Ruffy asked UFC to give him Bobby Green as his next oponent.
“I think in my Octagon debut I was able to prove I’m on a different level, knockout out a 10-fight UFC veteran in the first round,” he said. “I truly hope the UFC gives me higher-level opponents, so I have more competitive challenges and give better shows to the fans.
“I would love to face Bobby Green because of the style matchup. He loves stand-up fights and I think it would be a war. And I could knock him out in the first round.”
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