KO of the Month: Mauricio Ruffy’s Spectacular Head Kick Finish at UFC 313
Holy smokes, fight fans! March delivered some absolute bangers, but nothing came close to the ridiculous head kick Mauricio Ruffy landed on King Green at UFC 313. If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare to have your mind blown.
I’ve been covering MMA for years, and few knockouts have made me jump out of my seat like this one. Let’s break down this incredible moment and why it’s easily our Knockout of the Month for March 2025.
The Setup: How Ruffy Baited the Perfect Trap
What makes this knockout so special wasn’t just the highlight-reel finish—it was the chess match that preceded it. For two rounds, Ruffy had been establishing a pattern. Body kick, body kick, body kick. Green started anticipating and dropping his hands to block.
Then, in round three, Ruffy feinted low and Green took the bait. When Green’s hands dropped to defend the expected body kick, Ruffy went high instead. The result? Absolute devastation.
“I saw he was defending the body kick too much,” Ruffy told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “So my coach said, ‘Next time, go high.’ And boom—it worked perfectly.”
The Technical Brilliance Behind the KO
What impressed me most was the flawless technique. Ruffy didn’t just throw a wild head kick hoping for the best. Look at the footage again and you’ll notice:
- Perfect hip rotation that generated tremendous power
- Impeccable timing as Green was stepping forward
- The slight angle adjustment that ensured his shin connected with Green’s jaw
- No telegraph whatsoever—it came out of nowhere
Green was out before he hit the canvas. The referee didn’t even need to dive in—he knew immediately it was over.
Career-Defining Moment for the Brazilian Prospect
This knockout couldn’t have come at a better time for Ruffy. After going 2-1 in his first three UFC appearances, the Brazilian needed something spectacular to separate himself from the pack in the stacked lightweight division.
Mission accomplished.
With this finish, Ruffy has announced himself as a serious threat at 155 pounds. UFC matchmakers are already hinting at a potential top-15 opponent for his next outing, likely in the summer.
The Social Media Explosion
Within minutes of the knockout, social media erupted. The clip has already garnered over 15 million views on Twitter/X, with fighters and celebrities alike sharing their reactions:
“That might be the cleanest head kick KO I’ve ever seen.” – Jon Jones
“HOLY $#!% THAT WAS VIOLENT!” – Sean O’Malley
“Watching that knockout live just took years off my life.” – Joe Rogan
Even Dana White couldn’t contain his excitement at the post-fight presser: “That kid just earned himself a $75,000 bonus. One of the nastiest finishes I’ve seen in a long time.”
What’s Next for Ruffy?
I caught up with Ruffy’s team backstage, and they’re already looking ahead. Names like Drew Dober and Renato Moicano were mentioned as potential next opponents. Personally, I’d love to see him against someone like Rafael Fiziev—can you imagine the striking exchanges in that matchup?
Whoever he faces next, one thing’s certain: Mauricio Ruffy is no longer flying under the radar. That head kick didn’t just knock out King Green—it kicked down the door to the division’s elite.
The Other Contenders
While Ruffy’s finish was the clear standout, March 2025 delivered several other incredible knockouts worth mentioning:
- Jennifer Santos’ spinning backfist at UFC Vegas 123
- Terrance Mitchell’s uppercut from hell at Bellator 302
- Victor Altamirano’s flying knee at UFC 313 (on the same card as Ruffy!)
But let’s be real—none of them came close to the artistry and impact of Ruffy’s head kick.
Final Thoughts: A Star-Making Moment
In a sport where highlight-reel finishes can change careers overnight, Mauricio Ruffy just created his defining moment. The combination of technical perfection, fight IQ, and raw power displayed in that knockout suggests we’re looking at a future contender.
As a hardcore MMA fan who’s seen thousands of fights, trust me when I say: bookmark this name. Mauricio Ruffy is going places, and this knockout is just the beginning of what could be a special UFC journey.
What did you think of Ruffy’s knockout? Does it rank among your all-time favorites? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!