LAS VEGAS – Combating and soccer don’t overtly seem to go hand in hand, however to the Combating Nerds’ Mauricio Ruffy, there’s a correlation.
Ruffy (11-1 MMA, 2- UFC) is likely one of the promotion’s hottest rising lightweights. After simply two fights, he creates buzz with every tweet and social media put up. His swagger and flare are drawn from the celebrities of soccer.
“I take loads from soccer,” Ruffy advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at a information convention Wednesday. “I take a variety of inspiration, just like the strikes, the best way that they’ve to take action stuff. Neymar has been a supply of inspiration for me. I actually have a specific transfer that I say, ‘That’s my Neymar transfer.’ I’ve carried out it within the UFC, too. I believe the best way that they transfer and the best way they should dodge issues, the best way that they should make quick choices, I believe it evokes me. I see loads in soccer and it brings again.”
At UFC 313 on Saturday at T-Cellular Enviornment, Ruffy returns for his most high-profile combat thus far as he takes on longtime divisional staple King Inexperienced on the pay-per-view fundamental card. It’s a combat Ruffy defined he’s needed for a very long time.
“It is a combat I’ve truly known as out earlier than,” Ruffy mentioned. “I’ve advised folks, I advised the crew, I needed him for the second combat. Hey it didn’t come within the second. It’s coming within the third. Let’s get this job carried out. I’ve very prepared for it and I’m very completely satisfied for the chance. … As quickly as I bought into the UFC, I began trying on the fights that will give me a title shot and I believed that’s a man who has the expertise. I determine a win in opposition to him might propel me up into new heights. I believe it’s a combat that opens doorways. Combating him and beating him is a combat that will get me to a different stage.”
The Fighting Nerds are red-hot right now, with Caio Borralho, Carlos Prates, and Jean Silva all making beelines towards future title challenger standing. Ruffy mentioned the vibe within the coaching room is infectious – one thing he hopes to catalyze even additional with a win over a longtime identify like Inexperienced (32-16-1 MMA, 13-11-1 UFC).
“We’re all very grateful and really pleased with the outcomes,” Ruffy mentioned. “We rejoice the wins. All people is collectively. I believe all of us recognize what the work of the crew has yielded. We return and see what (coach) Pablo (Sucupira) has carried out with the crew, placing this collectively. That is the fruit of his work. We’re very completely satisfied to be collectively. We’re completely satisfied to be a part of the crew. We’re completely satisfied to proceed to return and get extra. As you may see, the outcomes are occurring. We’re pleased with all the outcomes for the work we’re placing in.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 313.
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