Mauricio Ruffy and Jamie Malarkey at UFC 301 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Dylan Bowker/Cageside Press
Brazilian Contender Series winner Mauricio Ruffy made his debut on his home stage on Saturday in an imposing battle against the ever-competitive Jamie Malarkey.
Malarkey was victorious in the lightweight showdown, moving to 2 wins and 2 losses in his last four fights.
By the end of the night, praises for Luffy were being sung far and wide.
The opening round began and Luffy landed a low leg kick. Luffy was already a faster fighter on his feet. He landed a hard left jab that snapped Malarkey’s head back. Luffy had already sustained visible damage to Malarkey’s lead leg and the match had barely started.
Australia’s Malarkey tried to move forward, but could not find his defensive range. Luffy did a great wheel kick. It wasn’t clean, but Malarkey came forward. Right after Luffy applied his right hand, it hurt Malachy. The combination of speed, timing, and Luffy’s versatility overwhelmed Malarkey. Luffy then landed Malarkey with his right hand, knocking him down. Mauricio Luffy swarms with flying knees and uppercuts. He rained blows on Malarkey and the referee had to intervene. The fighter’s stunning performance in his debut later sent a message to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, noting that he had defeated the champion’s teammate in the Contender Series. .
Official result: Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Malarkey TKO (punch), round 1, 4:42
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