Mauricio Ruffy calls out Conor McGregor and Paddy Pimblett after huge knockout at UFC 325

Mauricio Ruffy returned to winning ways with a huge knockout over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325.

Ruffy was forced on the back foot early, but gained his composure in the second round to stop his fellow ranked lightweight opponent with a flurry of punches after a perfect right hand.

Getty

Getty

The No. 14-ranked lightweight suffered the first defeat of his UFC career last time out in September, but had big names on his mind following an impressive display Down Under.

After dedicating the win to his brother, who tragically took his own life, Ruffy told UFC president Dana White that he wanted Paddy Pimblett or Conor McGregor next.

Ruffy’s fight style has been compared to McGregor throughout his career.

The 29-year-old scored one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history when he stopped King Green at UFC 313.

UFC 325 results

Main card

• Mauricio Ruffy def. Rafael Fiziev via second-round KO (punches) – Lightweight
• Tallison Teixeira def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision – Heavyweight
• Quillan Salkilld def. Jamie Mullarkey via first-round submission (neck crank) – Lightweight

Preliminary card

• Billy Elekana def. Junior Tafa via second-round submission (rear-naked choke) – Light heavyweight
• Cam Rowston def. Cody Brundage via second-round TKO (punches) – Middleweight
• Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney via unanimous decision – Middleweight
• Jonathan Micallef def. Oban Elliot via second-round submission (rear-naked choke) – Welterweight

Season 4 Road To UFC Final Matchups

• Kaan Ofli def. Yizha via majority decision – Featherweight
• Dom Mar Fan def. Kim Sang-wook via unanimous decision – Lightweight
• Keiichiro Nakamura def. Sebastian Szalay via third-round KO (knee) – Featherweight
• Lawrence Lui def. Sulangrangbo via split decision – Bantamweight

And with McGregor gearing up for a return at UFC White House, Ruffy would love nothing more than to have it out with the Irishman.

Pimblett, meanwhile, is fresh off a defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 and would prove a solid matchup for the Brazilian.

What happened in Mauricio Ruffy vs Rafael Fiziev?

Fiziev pushed the pace from the off as Ruffy adopted his McGregor-like southpaw stance, forced on the back foot.

Ruffy’s lead leg showed signs of damage just minutes into the fight, with Fiziev constantly landing nasty kicks.

Fiziev remained on the front foot, but Ruffy found success with a well-timed head kick and a solid jab.

In the second round, Fiziev continued to close the distance and was definitely winning the fight as time ticked on.

However, momentum swung in favour of Ruffy when he caught his Azerbaijani opponent with a lovely step back right hand.

A damaging left followed before Ruffy unloaded a monstrous right hand that marked the beginning of the end for Fiziev.

Fiziev was wobbled and seriously hurt, stumbling around the canvas on red alert.

Ruffy smelled blood and immediately went for the finish, leaving referee Daniel Movahedi with no choice but to stop the fight after a series of damaging blows on the ground.

The Brazilian now climbs into the top 10 at lightweight, having defeated the No. 9-ranked Fiziev.