Ruffy’s Sudden Right Hand Broke Fiziev’s Rhythm in Sydney
Mauricio Ruffy stopped Rafael Fiziev at 4:30 of the second round at UFC 325 on February 1, 2026, local time. Their lightweight contest at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney turned when Ruffy’s right hand hurt Fiziev and opened the way for a sustained finishing attack.
The Brazilian sought a response to his previous defeat
Ruffy entered after losing to Benoît Saint Denis, while Fiziev had defeated Ignacio Bahamondes in his preceding appearance. Their matchup offered a valuable opportunity to advance in the lightweight division.
Both made weight, with Fiziev at 155.5 pounds and Ruffy at 155.25. The opening round found Fiziev holding the center while Ruffy moved laterally and looked for counters.
Leg kicks and cage pressure initially favored Fiziev’s approach
Fiziev repeatedly attacked the legs and tried to restrict Ruffy’s exits. The Brazilian had some success late in the first but still needed a stronger response to the tempo his opponent was setting.
The second remained measured until Ruffy landed the decisive right. Fiziev was visibly hurt, and Ruffy immediately followed rather than allowing him to reset at kicking range.
The follow-up secured an important return to winning form
Further punches dropped Fiziev and drove him toward the fence. The referee stopped the contest as Ruffy continued landing, ending the fight with thirty seconds remaining in the round.
The victory restored Ruffy’s momentum after his Paris setback. His preparation alongside Alexander Volkanovski and the City Kickboxing group preceded a performance in which patience eventually gave way to a sharply timed, decisive finishing sequence.
Sources
- UFC: official results and scorecards
- UFC: Sydney venue, weights and scheduled rounds
- Cageside Press: leg kicks, range and finishing right
- UFC: championship and main-card reports
