UFC Freedom 250 results: Mauricio Ruffy proposes on White House lawn after destroying Michael Chandler with brutal KO
Mauricio Ruffy scored a cold-blooded knockout of Michael Chandler before delivering a warm-hearted marriage proposal on the South Lawn at The White House in Washington, D.C. during the UFC Freedom 250 event Sunday.
Chandler, a 40-year-old MMA veteran, attempted to do all he could to avoid Ruffy’s strikes considering the Brazilian’s length, range and extraordinary power. He circled, boxed on sprightly feet, and made himself a moving target, wary of getting tagged by the powerful Ruffy — who has only ever been taken to a decision once in his entire career.
Despite Chandler’s credentials at the top of the sport, all it took was one almighty jab from Ruffy to remind him that, perhaps, that this is a younger man’s sport and the 29-year-old could end the fight at a moment’s notice.
Chandler still tried to go down swinging, though. He feinted a takedown before shoving Ruffy, and dipped under his opponent’s left hand, but when he switched stances the American was immediately clattered from one of Ruffy’s inventive strikes — this one a spinning back kick.
Moments later, another Ruffy jab forced Chandler to take a backward step.
Ruffy then stung Chandler with a spinning heel kick, hurt him with an uppercut, and whipped a horrific body shot into his midsection. Chandler’s gas tank was already running low, likely because of the body blows, as his subsequent takedown attempt looked half-paced and ineffective. The damage Ruffy scored evident on Chandler’s reddening face, too.
Then, with Chandler on his knees and defenseless, Ruffy cracked Chandler with uppercuts and put him down, and out, for good.
“I’m very happy with this performance, this win,” Ruffy said post-fight through a translator.
“I’ve been training so much to be the champion of this division. I want to be the champion. I do believe I am next up for the title shot.”
But before he fights for the UFC belt, he first wants a ring.
“I want to say something,” Ruffy continued. “A while ago when I met my wife, Nadine, I really wanted to ask her to marry me but I didn’t have the money.
“And now, what better place to ask my wife to get married. Nadine,” he said. “I love you. Would you marry me since we’re right here at The White House?”
She said yes.
For more on UFC Freedom 250, check out Uncrowned’s fight night hub here.
