Mauricio Ruffy targets multiple top 15 lightweights, including Michael Chandler

USA Today

a day ago

Surging UFC lightweight Mauricio Ruffy expects an opportunity to break into the rankings in his next outing.
Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has quickly gained traction as a name to watch at 155 pounds following a hot start to his octagon tenure, highlighted by a Knockout of the Year contender against King Green at UFC 313 in March.
The Brazilian thinks the natural next step is to fight someone in the rankings, and he sees three specific names that fit the bill.
"I really believe that a name like that will come," Ruffy told Spin Genie. "Like Michael Chandler, Mateusz Gamrot, (Benoit) Saint Denis, I believe that one of those guys could come."
Ruffy, 29, said his confidence that a potential breakthrough fight is on the horizon stems form the fact he was already offered one. He was offered a short-notice bout against Gamrot earlier this year, but the circumstances prevented it.
That opportunity passed once, but whether it' Gamrot (25-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) again, a former title challenger like Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) or another dangerous name like Saint Denis (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), he will be ready for them all.
"The UFC also offered me Mateusz Gamrot, but we were four days away from the fight and Jean Silva would be there to fight, so none of my coaches would be in the corner," Ruffy said. "This put us in a difficult position to accept the fight. Nevertheless, I'm confident that a significant opponent, like Michael Chandler, Mateusz Gamrot, or Saint Denis, will eventually come my way. We'll see how it unfolds."