Ruffy celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Mauricio Ruffy is, in fact, no longer a member of Fighting Nerds. The Brazilian, who will be in action on the UFC Casa Branca card , prepared for his last fight alongside Alexander Volkanovski 's team , a scenario that raised doubts among fans about his continued presence on the São Paulo-based team, a question that was clarified by Pablo Sucupira.
In an interview with 'MMA Hoje', the team leader explained that Ruffy has not been training with the group and indicated that the current training camp is also not with Fighting Nerds. Despite this, he stressed that there is no definitive break in the relationship and that the athlete's presence remains open, unlike other cases where the departure is irreversible.
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“What I can say about Luffy is that he’s not training with us. I imagine this camp isn’t with us either. But he’s not the kind of guy that if he ever wants to do a camp with us, I won’t say, ‘You can’t.’ There are athletes I tell, ‘Brother, you’re no longer welcome on the team,’ which isn’t the case with Luffy. But currently he’s not training there, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to work together on the business,” said Pablo Sucupira.
Sucupira also emphasized that the current MMA landscape is increasingly driven by business issues, and that, as the team leader, he needs to assess whether there is compatibility within the work system. Therefore, he reiterated that, at this time, Ruffy is not part of the team's activities. However, he left open the possibility of a future return, should an agreement be reached that works for both sides.
"Today it's much more about business than about family, and as the owner of the team, I have to see within a work system if the guys can work together, (if so) then let's go. So today, within my business, my company, Luffy isn't working. But if one day he comes and wants to, we'll see if this business can work out, but currently he's not on the team and doesn't train with us," concluded the leader of Fighting Nerds.
Jean Silva and Mauricio Ruffy face a conflict of interest in the UFC.
Jean Silva , Caio Borralho , Mauricio Ruffy , and Carlos Prates represent Fighting Nerds. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
After suffering a tough defeat to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris , Maurício Ruffy decided to seek new ways to improve inside the octagon and began training with Alexander Volkanovski 's team . The change seems to have paid off, as the fighter from Alagoas rediscovered the path to victory at UFC 325 after participating in the camp alongside the Australian champion.
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The situation, however, creates a delicate scenario within the Fighting Nerds team itself. Jean Silva , Ruffy's training partner, emerges as a potential challenger to Volkanovski in the UFC. With 'Lord' on a collision course with the featherweight champion, the partnership between Ruffy and the Australian ends up generating a clear conflict of interest behind the scenes.
Jean Silva denies helping Mauricio Ruffy for UFC Casa Branca.
Jean Silva expressed excitement about the announcement of Mauricio Ruffy on the UFC Casa Branca card , scheduled for June 14th, but not enough to help him. In an interview with SUPER LUTAS, 'Lord' explained that he believes he is not the best option to help Ruffy's preparation, since Chandler has a style more focused on grappling.
In Jean Silva 's view , other athletes at the academy have more suitable characteristics to assist in the training. He also indicated that his teammate is probably already coordinating his preparation with members of the technical team, such as Pablo Sucupira and Flávio Alvaro, who are responsible for conducting the work during the camp.
“With my help, Ruffy’s Pro camp?… No, I think he’s going to fight the guy who’s more into wrestling, more into grappling, I don’t think he’ll need my help, but there are plenty of guys at the gym who can help him. I’m sure of that. And, man, he must be negotiating with Pablo, I don’t know, with Flávio, to be able to say. But me, never, brother. Forget it.”, said Jean Silva.
Check out Jean Silva's exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS.
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