UFC Fighter Mauricio Ruffy Reveals He Nearly Took His Own Life Before Finding Faith
"I spent practically two years of my life in bed like that, very injured. I was very sad and I felt a lot of desire to take my life, to end that pain. For me, happiness was when I was sleeping. I know what it's like to want to take your own life, and that's why I don't give up on this message and I'm always talking about it."
About this episode
Ariel Helwani interviews rising UFC lightweight Mauricio Ruffy following his Knockout of the Year award and victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 250 at the White House. Ruffy, undefeated in 14 professional fights with no amateur experience, reveals a dramatic personal history marked by extreme adversity and a faith-based transformation. The Brazilian fighter discloses he spent two years bedridden with injuries while his wife supported the household, during which time he contemplated suicide. A barber who came to his home claiming to be sent by God prayed for his wife, who was told she could not have children due to endometriosis; ten days later she was pregnant and fully healed. Within a year of that encounter, Ruffy made it to the UFC. He also reveals he fought Rafael Fiziev while suffering from the flu and a herniated disc sustained 30 minutes before entering the arena, yet knocked out the fighter considered the best striker in the UFC without being touched. Ruffy left his dangerous hometown of Maceió, Brazil at age 14 after all his childhood friends ended up dead or in prison, and hints at a hidden past involving activities in São Paulo he is not proud of but will reveal in an upcoming book. He proposed to his longtime partner Nadine at the White House event, having married her years earlier at a registry office but never affording a proper ceremony. Ruffy announced he is serving as backup fighter for an upcoming lightweight bout and believes he will be UFC champion by mid-2027, promoting his "Ruffy style" fighting philosophy inspired by the anime One Piece. His pastor, the former barber who prayed for his wife, now travels with him to every fight.
Key takeaways
- Mauricio Ruffy reveals he contemplated suicide during a two-year period of injuries and hardship before a barber claiming to be sent by God prayed for his infertile wife, who became pregnant and healed ten days later
- Ruffy fought Rafael Fiziev with a herniated disc and the flu after nearly being pulled from the card, yet knocked him out without being touched in what he calls his greatest soldier moment
- The undefeated UFC lightweight hints at a shocking hidden past involving illicit activities in São Paulo that he is not proud of and will reveal in an upcoming book
- Ruffy left his hometown of Maceió, Brazil at age 14 after all his childhood friends ended up dead or in prison due to the city being the most dangerous in Brazil
- The fighter proposed to longtime partner Nadine at the White House UFC event after marrying her years earlier but never affording a proper wedding ceremony
- Ruffy announced he is serving as backup fighter for an upcoming lightweight bout and predicts he will be UFC champion by mid-2027
- His pastor, the barber who prayed for his wife's healing, now travels with Ruffy to every fight and maintains a father-son relationship with him