Latest news with #Ruffy
GMA Network
01-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Ruffy Biazon to appeal Sandiganbayan ruling on graft case
The team of reelected Mayor Ruffy Biazon said they will be filing a motion for reconsideration, seeking the anti-graft court to re-examine the ruling and citing his right to due process. Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Rufino 'Ruffy' Biazon over the weekend said he will appeal Sandiganbayan's ruling that found him, along with five other respondents including businesswoman Janet Napoles, guilty of graft in connection to the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) in 2007. In a statement issued by his spokesperson Atty. Mitchell-David Espiritu, the reelected mayor's team said they will be filing a motion for reconsideration, seeking the anti-graft court to re-examine the ruling and citing his right to due process. 'We respect the Sandiganbayan's decision as part of our justice system. However, we are surprised by the outcome, especially since Mayor Ruffy was previously acquitted of similar charges involving public funds,' Espiritu said in Filipino in a post on Biazon's official Facebook page. 'We remain hopeful that, like the earlier cases, Mayor Ruffy will ultimately be acquitted once due process has been completed. We intend to explore all legal remedies, beginning with a motion for reconsideration,' he added. Biazon, along with businesswoman Janet Napoles and former government agency Technology Resource Center (TRC) officials Dennis Cunanan, Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, and Evelyn De Leon were sentenced to six to eight years in jail and perpetual disqualification from public office after being found guilty of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Court records showed that whistleblower Benhur Luy said Biazon received some P1.950 million through an authorized representative, and the public funds from Biazon's PDAF went to Napoles-run Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI), a corporate entity that could not have been physically located at its declared address. Biazon, for his part, argued that he merely endorsed the non-government organization (MGO) to the TRC, and that his signature was forged by the whistleblower. The court meanwhile found that Biazon's endorsement functioned more as an instruction than a recommendation, and that there was no substantial evidence that he took steps to dispute or report the alleged forgery. 'Mayor Ruffy will continue to uphold the law — the same law that grants him the right to defend himself and to clear his name of these accusations,' Espiritu said. 'According to the law, Mayor Ruffy will stay in his post and fulfill the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Muntinlupa,' he added. —RF, GMA Integrated News
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ian Machado Garry before UFC on ESPN 66: Carlos Prates 'worst' of the Fighting Nerds
Ian Machado Garry before UFC on ESPN 66: Carlos Prates 'worst' of the Fighting Nerds Ian Machado Garry ranks Carlos Prates the lowest out of the Fighting Nerds. Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) takes on streaking welterweight contender Prates (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in Saturday's UFC on ESPN 66 (ESPN2, ESPN+) main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. Prates is part of the red-hot Fighting Nerds team, which also features ranked middleweight Caio Borralho, ranked featherweight Jean Silva, and rising lightweight Mauricio Ruffy. Machado Garry thinks Prates stands out the least. "I just think they're all great, (but) I think Prates is the worst of the four," Garry told CBS Sports. "I think Ruffy is the best. The way Ruffy moves is phenomenal, just the flow, the movement, it's just beautiful to watch. And then you look at someone like Caio, who just everywhere is talented. "He can beat you on the feet, beat you on the ground, has phenomenal jiu-jitsu, he's an absolute fridge of a man. Jean Silva is a dog. He's literally a dog. I know he was barking last week, but that man just knows how to fight. I love watching their guys fight. I think they have a great energy in the octagon, I think they have a great confidence, and you see that, and I think that matters." All four of the aforementioned Fighting Nerds are unbeaten in the octagon. Ruffy is coming off a Knockout of the Year contender, a spinning wheel-kick finish of King Green at UFC 313. Borralho defeated former title challenger Jared Cannonier in his first main event last August, and Silva notched a bonus-winning submission of Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314 earlier this month.
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'One Shot' origin: Mauricio Ruffy explains who he is and why 'Brazilian Conor McGregor' label isn't all wrong
PLAISTOW, N.H. – Mauricio Ruffy enjoyed the action as punches flew back and forth. But this time, he wasn't in the fight. He was a spectator as Jeffrey Viel and Dylan McIllrath dropped the gloves. Ruffy didn't quite understand the rules, though longtime friend Yann Oliveira and fellow UFC fighter Connor Matthews were able to help fill in the knowledge gaps. Over 4,000 miles away from the Brazilian town of Coruripe, Alagoas, where he grew up, Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) attended his first hockey game as the Boston Bruins battled the Washington Capitals. Ruffy was personally invited to the game by Bruins forward Jakub Lauko, a massive UFC fan from the Czech Republic, who saw on social media that Ruffy was in town. Being recognized and respected on an international level was not unique to the situation. It has quickly become Ruffy's way of life over the past 11 months since he made his UFC debut. 'To you guys, Mauricio Ruffy is new, but this has been going on for a long time' Ruffy recently told MMA Junkie through interpreter and fellow fighter Olivieira. 'This construction has been going on for a long time, building who Mauricio Ruffy is.' Ruffy is reaching new heights by the week. He plans to open his own branch of the Fighting Nerds with Oliveira in New Hampshire in the coming weeks – something that would've been impossible just months ago. Who is Mauricio Ruffy? While the true tale of Ruffy is 28 years long and counting, fight fans are still acquainting themselves to a near-contender who has only had three UFC fights. Just last fight, Ruffy told the world that his last name isn't even Ruffy. It's Mauricio de Lima Santos. The name Ruffy is based off anime character Monkey D. Luffy. 'I'm fairly new here,' Ruffy said. 'But like I told you guys before, there's still a lot to come. There's a lot that's going to happen. You guys still have a lot to see. You haven't seen anything yet.' Ruffy is a key member of the skyrocketing Fighting Nerds team, headed by coaches Pablo Sucupira and Vlavio Alvaro, and also featuring Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, and Carlos Prates among others. Ruffy remembers the first time he threw on a Fighting Nerds shirt – right before he was immediately told it's not that easy. 'I walked in and I saw Caio Borralho training with Pablo,' Ruffy said. 'They were sparring. I loved everything I saw and was watching. I looked at Pablo and said, 'Hey, I'm putting the shirt on. From now on, I am a Fighting Nerd. I'm part of the team. Pablo just kind of stopped him in his tracks and said, 'Hold on. Hold on a second. We don't want any rotten fruits in our orchard here. Now we're going to take this nice and slow. We're going to see if you can hang. You've got to show up and not miss a single practice for 30 days. If you miss a single practice in 30 days, you're out of here. You're not training with us.' 'I loved the challenge. I loved what I was seeing. I proved myself like I said I would. The rest is history. I did my part and I became part of the Fighting Nerds. Pablo said to me, 'I'm a big fan of yours. I admire you. But for you to be part, you've got to fall into place. You've got to be part of this engine and make it so the thing works smooth. But if you can make this happen, you're part of the team.'' Unlike his Fighting Nerd counterparts, Ruffy's personality is much more contained. He's not chain-smoking cigarettes or barking like a dog. His quiet and polite demeanor isn't his main selling point, no. He's quiet and polite, not radiating an inkling of attention self-seeking. He's generated tremendous buzz and nearly 400,000 Instagram followers almost solely on his fighting style and highlights alone – many of which are knockouts, making good on the 'One Shot' name. 'What you guys saw there, it wasn't even close to everything I've got,' Ruffy said. 'I've got 30 other tricks in my pocket that I can't wait to show you guys. I said from the beginning before I came into the UFC that I'd bring something new, that I'd bring something different to the UFC, something you guys haven't seen before. I've got a lot more to show you guys.' His beatdown of Jamie Mullarkey was quite the first impression. His pummeling of a zombie-like James Llontop was something else. His scintillating spinning wheel kick knockout of King Green at UFC 313 in March is a candidate for Knockout of the Year. The nature of those knockouts combined with his capoeira-karate style, chest tattoos, beard, and quick explosion into the UFC spotlight – Ruffy has drawn comparisons to a certain Irish combat sports legend. While the narrative largely exists online, Ruffy said there's actually some credibility to it – and a relationship with Conor McGregor might become tangible. 'In the construction of Mauricio Ruffy, there was always a little bit of Conor McGregor there,' Ruffy said. 'I can see that. I'm a big Conor McGregor fan. I love McGregor's style. There is a little bit of McGregor there. 'One thing that I want is that when I'm ready to fight Islam Makhachev, when I go to fight him, I want to invite Conor McGregor to be in my corner, so it's us against the Russians. I want Conor McGregor there. I want Conor McGregor there and to be up close and taste the victory for when I beat the Russians. Khabib is going to be there of course, so I want Conor McGregor to be there as part of my corner as well for when I defeat the Russians and put an end to Islam Makhachev.' International Fight Week bound? Immediately after the March victory, Ruffy called out perennial contender Beneil Dariush. According to Ruffy, the UFC is interested and it's up to Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) to accept. 'If Dariush accepts the fight, I'll be ready to go for International Fight Week,' Ruffy said. '… The UFC did show some interest. The UFC seems to like that matchup a lot. I think all it comes down to now is Dariush accepting the fight. If he accepts the fight, I think that's something the UFC will look forward to making happen. We'll see. He's waiting to hear if it's going to happen. On the UFC part, they like the fight. We're just waiting for Dariush. I believe that showing good performance and showing what I'm doing and keep doing what I'm doing shows a lot more than just what the rankings say. When you perform like that, the ranking doesn't matter. On my part, I'm ready to go, waiting for Dariush to accept. Let's go, Dariush.' With the caliber of opponent that Dariush is, the question would be raised of: Three or five rounds? While it would only be his fourth UFC appearance, Ruffy feels more than ready. On paper, many might see it as striker vs. grappler; Ruffy has 11 of 12 wins by knockout and Dariush has eight submissions with nine decisions in 22 victories. Ruffy loves that's the widespread interpretation, finding comfort in perceived secret weapons has he yet to show inside the cage. Perhaps the nickname 'One Shot' isn't just talking about a strike. 'The fans have not had the opportunity to watch me grapple yet and show my abilities to the fans, body against body, and trying to take him down,' Ruffy said. 'What I can do when somebody tries to get on my leg and try to take me down, I'm working on a lot of things. I'm working on ways to show people and surprise people that it's not easy to take me down. I'm working on things. I can grapple. I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeves. I know what I need to do. But I believe that in the grappling department, I'll be able to surprise everybody.'
USA Today
10-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mauricio Ruffy wants Beneil Dariush after KO of Year candidate at UFC 313
LAS VEGAS – After arguably one of the most vicious knockouts in UFC history, Mauricio Ruffy knows exactly what he wants next. Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) landed a spinning heel kick on King Green (32-17-1 MMA, 13-12-1 UFC) a little more than two minutes into their main card opener Saturday at UFC 313. Green, who has turned out many lights himself, was out cold, face first on the canvas. Ruffy, a member of Brazil's fast-rising Fighting Nerds team, won a $50,000 performance bonus for the finish, which is sure to be a Knockout of the Year contender come December. 'I'm very happy with the win and very happy with the opportunity,' Ruffy said at his post-fight news conference at T-Mobile Arena. 'I think I did justice to the vote of confidence the UFC has given me. Wherever (that kick) came from, there's a lot more to come. … We work very hard at the gym for things to happen. Actually, back in the locker room, we were working on that kick, as well.' Ruffy, a lightweight who will turn 29 in June, has 11 of his 12 wins by knockout. The lone time he's had to go to a decision to get his hand raised came in his second UFC fight this past November. Against James Llontop at UFC 309 in New York, he put in 15 minutes. But clearly, it's the bonus-winning finishes he prefers, like his win over Green and his knockout of Jamie Mullarkey in his UFC debut. 'Listen, there are a lot of secrets about Ruffy style that you don't know yet,' he said. 'You have no idea, and I can't wait to put them against a grappler, a wrestler. There are many more things that Ruffy can offer that you have not seen, but you're going to see it in the UFC.' When it comes to whom he'd next like to showcase his skills against, that grappler and wrestler he has in mind is none other than Beneil Dariush, a 35-year-old lightweight standout who has been in the promotion for nearly a dozen years. After an eight-fight winning streak had him in title contention, Dariush was knocked out by former champ Charles Oliveira in June 2023. He lost a second straight for the first time in his career when ARman Tsarukyan knocked him out in December 2023 in a main event in Austin, Texas. Dariush was set to return in January against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, but when Tsarukyan suffered a fight week injury, Moicano was tapped to fight Islam Makhachev for the title. Dariush was left with his cheese in the wind and without a fight. Two months later, he hasn't been officially rebooked, and Ruffy is down. 'My goal in the UFC is to be a champion and to get the title shot as soon as possible. Myself, along with the team, decided that is a name that puts us closer to a title shot. So that's what we want.' To hear more from Ruffy, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313. Gallery Mauricio Ruffy def. King Green at UFC 313: Best photos View 20 photos
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
King Green 'not done' after brutal wheel kick KO loss at UFC 313
King Green is taking his knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 313 in stride. The longtime fighter ended up on the wrong end of the early Knockout of the Year frontrunner Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas when Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) unleashed a vicious spinning wheel kick that instantly floored Green (32-17-1 MMA, 13-12-1 UFC) in the first round. It was a spectacular and shocking end to the lightweight bout, which opened the pay-per-view main card. The finish went viral and was No. 2 on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10, and as the defeated fighter, it can be a difficult pill to swallow. Green, however, was nothing but gracious in defeat. 'This is the game we play,' Green said on Instagram Stories after UFC 313. 'There's wins, there's losses. It's just how it goes, you know? Shout out to Ruffy. You did your thing, brother. I'd like to see you have success in your future. Obrigado.' With the defeat, Green has lost three of his past four and is 3-3 in his past six dating back to a submission of Tony Ferguson at UFC 291 in July 2023. He's also notched wins over Grant Dawson and Jim Miller, but in the losses during that stretch was finished in Round 1 by Jalin Turner, Paddy Pimblett and Ruffy. The 38-year-old has been an active fighter since his January 2008 debut, and is one of just a handful of athletes on the UFC roster with more than 50 professional bouts. Green is showing many of the traits of a fighter trending toward the end of their career, but he was definitive that this loss won't be his end point. 'Shout out to everyone that rides with me and came through this whole thing,' Green said. 'I love all you guys. I thank you so much for supporting me through all this bullsh*t. But we're not done. I just need some more time to get myself back to the cage. We'll be back.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313.
