Mauricio Ruffy KO's Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250

In a stunning first-round victory, Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy defeated Michael Chandler by technical knockout at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the South Lawn of the White House. The fight, which took place on Sunday, June 14, 2026, ended at 4:29 of the opening round after Ruffy dropped Chandler with a spinning wheel kick and followed with a series of decisive punches.

Ruffy, who entered the contest with a record of 13-2, controlled the action from the start, using sharp footwork and precise striking to neutralize Chandler's aggressive style. The former Bellator champion, Chandler, now on a four-fight losing streak, struggled to close the distance effectively. After several failed takedown attempts, Ruffy landed the fight-ending combination, securing the most significant win of his career on a major national stage.

Following the victory, Ruffy used his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan to share a religious message. He quoted the Bible verse John 3:16 and stated that Jesus had saved his life, encouraging others to do the same. In a subsequent personal moment, Ruffy proposed to his longtime girlfriend in Spanish, with an interpreter conveying the message...