Mauricio Ruffy reveals he could serve as backup fighter for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway rematch at UFC 329
Mauricio Ruffy has made a major announcement ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway that'll headline UFC 329.
Mauricio Ruffy has made a notable announcement regarding his potential involvement in the much-awaited high-profile fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.
The Brazilian striking savant has suggested that he's headed to Las Vegas, the city that is set to host the McGregor-Holloway showdown, to serve as the backup/replacement fighter in case McGregor or Holloway were to withdraw from the matchup due to injury and/or other reasons.
Mauricio Ruffy notched a major win at UFC Freedom 250; eyes backup role for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway UFC 329 clash
Mauricio Ruffy, incidentally, last faced Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, stopping the American via TKO in the very first round of their lightweight clash.
Well, Chandler, who's since hinted at a move to welterweight, had been booked to fight Conor McGregor in a welterweight matchup at UFC 303 in June 2024. Nevertheless, McGregor sustained a toe injury and pulled out. Their fight was initially postponed and then ended up being discarded altogether.
Presently, former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor is scheduled to take on former UFC featherweight champ and ex-BMF titlist Max Holloway. Their welterweight match will headline UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11.
It'll be a rematch of their 2013 featherweight matchup, which witnessed McGregor defeat Holloway via unanimous decision despite suffering a knee injury.
Mauricio Ruffy suggests he'll serve as backup fighter for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway rematch that headlines UFC 329
Taking to his official Instagram account, Mauricio Ruffy has put forth a post, comprising the following statement, "Tomorrow Monday I will be traveling to Las Vegas. If you need me, I'll be ready!"
Also, the video in his post saw him speaking about possibly serving as the backup fighter for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway at UFC 329.
The consensus is that the rising lightweight (155-pound) star has thereby implied that he'll be ready as the backup/replacement fighter for the UFC 329 welterweight (170-pound) headliner, although it'll be in a division higher than what he currently competes in.
Ruffy, in his video, stated, "Hey, guys, you know I made myself available for the Conor McGregor fight and Max Holloway. I'm going on a trip to Las Vegas."
A representative of the reputed Fighting Nerds gym, Ruffy has often been compared to McGregor, owing to their innovative striking techniques. The 30-year-old, for his part, emphasized that he's taken good care of himself since his latest fight. He further noted that he's been made to train halfway through his vacation.
Moreover, Ruffy stepped on the weighing scale and noted that he weighed around 84 kg, adding that he'd have to cut 7 kg to make the welterweight limit. Ruffy stated:
"We are going to travel now to Vegas on Monday. And let's see what happens. Me against Conor McGregor, I believe it would be a very good fight. I think a fight I would have made easier by the fact of rhythm and everything else, right? Always having the dangers of the fight."
He added, "But I believe it would be a really cool fight against Max Holloway. And I believe in my knockout power. He's a guy who doesn't -- seeks to play forward there all the time. But I go there to define the fights, and I don't miss my chances. It would be really cool to see this fight happen. I'm going. Let's see what happens. Ok, I will inform you all. Let's go."
However, the UFC, as of this time, hasn't officially announced Ruffy as the backup fighter for McGregor vs. Holloway 2.
Watch Mauricio Ruffy's Instagram post featuring his announcement regarding the Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway rematch below:
