Written by Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Mauricio Ruffy may have just taken the lead for the Knockout of the Year with his jaw-dropping finish over King Green to quite literally kick off the UFC 313 main card.
Regarded as a dynamic striker, Ruffy lived up to that reputation after he backed Green up against the cage and then uncorked a devastating spinning wheel kick out of nowhere. Ruffy’s heel bounced off Green’s head, and the lightweight veteran fell face first to the canvas with the referee rushing in to stop the fight at just 2:07 in the opening round.
Spinning kick KO by Ruffy, absolutely insane #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/hxdX0JVzvR
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) March 9, 2025
The win moves Ruffy to 3-0 in his UFC career, but this kind of performance likely earns him an even bigger spotlight for his next appearance.
“Listen I’ve been thinking at home so many times, what it would take for a fighter to get two bonuses in one night?” Ruffy said about his knockout. “Maybe two bonuses for the night?”
Considering the impact Ruffy made with that knockout, he might give UFC CEO Dana White something to think about.
Prior to the finish, Ruffy was already stalking Green across the octagon as he kept the 50-plus fight veteran on his heels hesitant to engage with his taller, longer opponent. Ruffy was masterfully setting up his long punches and just waiting for the opportunity to leap into a combination with Green barely having a chance to throw any strikes of his own.
That’s when Ruffy uncorked the spinning wheel kick out of nowhere and Green slumped to the canvas after eating the head shot that ended the fight.
While it’s unknown if the UFC might actually reward Ruffy with a double bonus, it’s safe to assume he’ll be going home with at least an extra $50,000 for that finish. Following the win, Ruffy also had an idea in mind for his next opponent in the UFC.
“What do you think? Mauricio Ruffy-Beneil Dariush?” Ruffy shouted to an approving Las Vegas crowd. “Fight Night main event? What do you think?”