Brazilian star Mauricio Ruffy has once more come under fire from one of the UFC’s most prominent analysts after UFC Paris.
Seeing his impressive winning run halted overnight, emerging lightweight striker Mauricio Ruffy came unstuck in a second round defeat, returning in a co-main event setting.
And dropping a face crank submission loss to hometown favorite Benoit Saint-Denis in the Frenchman’s return to winning ways, Ruffy suffered his first defeat in the Octagon.
However, toppled in rather dominant fashion by the Nimes native, Ruffy has once more seen his status in the division called into question.
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Din Thomas questions Mauricio Ruffy’s ability after UFC Paris defeat
Fighting in a co-main event bracket before his fellow Fighting Nerds stablemate Caio Borralho, Ruffy was submitted in rather comprehensive fashion by Saint-Denis, before the former would lose to Nassourdine Imavov in a decision shutout.
However, calling into question Ruffy’s ability and will, former lightweight contender-turned-analyst Din Thomas ripped the Alagoas native, claiming he did not want to fight any further when Saint-Denis turned the pressure up.
“…I thought he was going to do something fascinating tonight, and the first body kick shook (Mauricio) Ruffy up. Then the head kick shook him up,” Thomas said on the UFC Fight Night Paris Post-Fight Show.
“And I think that took Ruffy so far out of his game, he did not want to fight anymore. Mauricio Ruffy also made me eat my words.
“Maybe he’s not as good as we thought he was,” Thomas continued. “Yet. He’s still got some work to do. But tonight he did not show up, and he did not look like he wanted to be out there.”
Interestingly, Thomas’ assessment of Ruffy’s ability has come into question before, particularly off the back of his short-notice win less than a year ago.
Mauricio Ruffy ripped for performance in James Llontop win
Back in November of last year, Ruffy was scheduled to take on Charlie Campbell at Madison Square Garden, before eventually facing off with James Llontop on short notice on the same card.
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Having fought regardless of Llontop’s stunning weight miss, who came in at 166.5lbs for the lightweight clash, Ruffy came under fire despite his unanimous decision win.
As far as Thomas was concerned, Ruffy was unable to seize the opportunity to score another highlight-reel win, potentially due to the presence of US President Donald Trump.
It seems like this moment is a bit big for him,” Thomas said of Ruffy during the UFC 309 broadcast. “This is a big moment, big stage in front of President Trump.”