This is the UFC White House live blog for Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, the main card lightweight bout Sunday at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Ruffy (13-2) is currently No. 10 at 155 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. His tricky striking style has earned him three knockouts in his four UFC wins, including one of the best of 2026 when he floored veteran King Green with a spinning wheel kick. In his most recent outing at UFC 325, he put Rafael Fiziev away via strikes in the second round.
This could be a do-or-die fight for the always enthusiastic Chandler (23-10). The former Bellator star has lost three straight fights and five of his past six, with his most recent loss being a one-sided drubbing at the hands of Paddy Pimblett. Chandler had long pursued a bout with Conor McGregor, but he’ll have to settle for Ruffy, whose standup style has frequently been compared to McGregor’s.
Check out the UFC White House live blog for Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler below.
UFC White House is on fire with two violent knockouts to get things going, and this one should be fun. Chandler always delivers entertainment but has his back against the wall as he meets Brazil’s flashy knockout artist Ruffy. Can he drown Ruffy in deep waters as promised, or will Ruffy show he’s the real deal?
But first, for whatever reason, the great Tyson Fury walks out from the White House to attend this event? And then Fury teases a massive announcement involving Dana White? Hmm…
Ok, back to actual UFC fights now. Chandler and Ruffy are heading to the octagon for some fist-fighting.
PS: If the man who sang Ruffy’s walkout song really are American like Cormier said, well done, sir! That was good Portuguese.
Ruffy and Chandler touch gloves and “USA! USA!” chants echo on the White House lawn. Chandler gets things going with a calf kick early, and rushes for a takedown but can’t get a hold of the Brazilian. Ruffy with his back against the cage but quickly walks away from there. Chandler bouncing around the cage only to eat a heavy jab by Ruffy that forces him to take a few steps back. Ruffy is so fast for Chandler on the feet. Ruffy misses a front kick, and goes with a spinning back kick to the body. Chandler tries a superman punch that misses, too. Two minutes left on the clock and Chandler has blood coming out of his nose. Ruffy hurts Chandler with a right hand and patiently backs him against the cage. A spinning back kick to the head hurts Chandler! He’s back, tries to take Ruffy to the ground, but is hurt AGAIN with a body shot! Ruffy is slowly and patiently destroying Chandler with his strikes. A left by Ruffy, and another spinning back kick drops Chandler! IT’S OVER! RUFFY HAS KNOCKED OUT CHANDLER IN THE FIRST!
“Great fight,” Trump tells Ruffy after the knockout. That was a brilliant performance by Ruffy.
Mauricio Ruffy def. Michael Chandler by first-round knockout
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