Could it be? Mauricio Ruffy surprises everyone by naming the ideal fighter to dethrone Ilia Topuria in the UFC.

Ruffy promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Maurício Ruffy is in the final stages of preparation for his next fight, but he's not only focusing on his opponent. UFC 325In an event scheduled to take place on January 31st in Australia, the Brazilian faces... Raphael Fiziev, in an important duel for the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg) and, above all, for his career. If he wins, the athlete will enter the top 10 of the category and already has his sights set on the top spot.

When asked who could dethrone the champion Ilia TopuriaRuffy didn't sit on the fence. Like MMA fans and professionals, the Brazilian was impressed with what the Georgian has been doing in the UFC and pointed to only one athlete who, in his opinion, has the ability to beat him: Max HollowayIt's worth highlighting that 'El Matador' is undefeated and, in 2024, at the top of the featherweight division (up to 65,8 kg), he defeated the American by knockout.

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"At that moment, among those guys (top-5), I don't think anyone could beat Topuria. Maybe the closest is Holloway, because of his height and boxing game. I believe Holloway didn't win the fight because he didn't make smart decisions at the time," the athlete said in an interview with 'The Ariel Helwani Show'.

"He made the wrong decision at the wrong time and ended up losing the fight, but he was winning. So, I believe the guy who has a chance to beat Topuria today would be Holloway," he concluded.

Ruffy in the UFC

Mauricio Ruffy, 29 years old, is a promising MMA fighter and competes in the UFC's lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg). Discovered on the reality show 'Contender Series' in 2023, the Brazilian debuted in the sport's largest organization a year later, winning three fights, two by knockout, and losing one. Currently, he is ranked 14th in the division.