Mauricio Ruffy says he relaxed defensively in the final seconds of Round 1, when Arman Tsarukyan knocked him out with an elbow at UFC 331 on Sept. 19. Ruffy took responsibility for the loss and said he had expected to finish Tsarukyan in Round 2.
Ruffy said he thought Tsarukyan’s strength was fading after an early knockdown and believed he could finish the fight in the second round. With 10 seconds left, he thought Tsarukyan’s takedown attempt would work in his favor; Ruffy later said he had four seconds remaining but chose not to strike or move away from the fence, and relaxed his defense.
The 30-year-old Brazilian remains ranked No. 10 at lightweight and is 2-2 in his last four appearances, with both losses by stoppage. In a social-media statement four days after the fight, he said he felt 100% healthy and apologized to fans.
