UFC lightweight Mauricio Ruffy's life -changing victory over UFC 313 was partly due to a Brazilian football legend.
Mauricio Ruffy entered UFC 313 with some hype to his name and left the Octagon in the making for the lightweight division as a Bonified Superstar. But it may not have happened without the indirect help of a colleague Brazilian athlete of world class.
Ruffy struck King Green unconscious with a rotating wheel kick in the first round at UFC 313. It was one of the most brutal chopping knockouts in the recent UFC history and pushed Ruffy further to the lightweight top 15.
Ruffy is one of a whole series of top talents from the Fighting Nerds team, with names such as Jean Silva and Caio Borralho. He has signed comparisons with Conor McGregor with his style, posture and skills.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Mauricio Ruffy Credits 'Neymar Feint' for UFC 313 Head Kick Knockout
While Ruffy is approaching the potential UFC -Superster, his finish series on UFC 313 was inspired by Neymar, one of the greatest football players of all time.
During a recent performance on the Ariel Helwani show, Ruffy explained how Neymar played a role in his UFC 313 Knockout.
“You had the Feint, the added bonus with the Fint. I would like to say that Neymar helped me with that, that was the 'Neymar Fint', Ruffy said. “He helped me get that guy because it was his feint … I don't watch much football, but I like to watch the movements because I think he is a very competent player. There is a moment in the fight that I see myself as a skilled guy, a man who has to bring skills. I use a lot of skill and what I see that Neymar is doing a lot is a dribble, over a dribble, a double movement/compound.
“What I wanted to do was the same, a Feint above a sham,” Ruffy continued. “I threatened him with the cross, went with the about -hand and followed it with a staircase. Feint about Feint … And that's Neymar, that's why I call it the “Neymar Feint.”
Neymar is an avid UFC fan and is present at many high-profile events. He won countless prizes during his athletic career, including his role in several LA Liga championships for FC Barcelona.
Ruffy repeatedly practiced the rotating staircase for UFC 313, as he shared in a recent post on social media. After he had turned Green off, Ruffy focused his attention on the top 10 lightweight support pillar Beneil Dariush.
Mauricio Ruffy's UFC 313 Callout answered by top lightweight
It wasn't long before Dariush responded to Ruffy's callout. Dariush was 'very impressed' of the Ruffy finish and seemed interested in making it happen at a later time.
Dariush had to return to Renato Moicano on UFC 311 before a last second commitment forced him off the map. Moicano was promoted to the main event slot and Dariush was not turned against a new opponent, but was financially 'cared for' by the UFC Brass.
Dariush was then called by UFC 311 winner Grant Dawson during his interview after the fight. But at the moment a timeline for the return of Dariush remains uncertain.
Ruffy vs. Dariush could blossom in the coming months, and after Ruffy's breathtaking knockout all eyes are focused on the alum of Dana White's Contender Series.
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