Mauricio Ruffy vs. King Green at UFC 313 was one of the most memorable lightweight fights of 2025, lasting just 2:07 of the opening round. The bout instantly became a contender for Knockout of the Year thanks to Ruffy’s spectacular spinning wheel kick finish.
From the opening bell, Ruffy displayed exceptional composure. Fighting out of the southpaw stance, he controlled the center of the Octagon, patiently stalking Green rather than rushing forward. Green employed his trademark style—hands low, constant movement, shoulder feints, and unpredictable rhythm—trying to lure the Brazilian into overcommitting. Ruffy refused to take the bait, instead attacking with quick calf kicks and sharp straight left hands that immediately earned Green’s respect.
About a minute into the fight, Ruffy began finding his range. A clean right hand snapped Green’s head back, forcing the veteran to circle along the fence. Green attempted to disrupt Ruffy’s timing with stance switches and counter jabs, but the younger striker maintained his distance perfectly, cutting off the cage instead of chasing recklessly.
The decisive sequence unfolded with brilliant setup. Ruffy feinted a left-hand attack, drawing Green’s attention high and causing him to lean slightly toward his own right. In one fluid motion, Ruffy spun into a perfectly timed spinning wheel kick. His heel crashed flush against the side of Green’s head before the veteran could react.
The impact was devastating.
Green collapsed face-first to the canvas without attempting to break his fall, immediately rendering himself unable to defend. Referee Herb Dean rushed in and waved off the contest instantly, recognizing Green was unconscious. The arena erupted as Ruffy celebrated one of the cleanest and most technically perfect knockouts seen in recent UFC history.
Official Result:
- Winner: Mauricio Ruffy
- Method: Knockout (Spinning Wheel Kick)
- Round: 1
- Time: 2:07
The victory improved Ruffy to 3-0 in the UFC and firmly established him as one of the lightweight division’s fastest-rising prospects. The knockout earned widespread praise from fighters, analysts, and fans, with many immediately calling it one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history and an early frontrunner for 2025’s Knockout of the Year.