Just weeks after the biggest MMA victory of his career, top UFC lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy is heading to Las Vegas and has officially confirmed he will serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 329 main event between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.
The rising Brazilian star is coming off a dominant first-round finish of Michael Chandler at the historic UFC White House card last month, knocking out the former Bellator star and further cementing his status as a rising force in the division.
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UFC 329 takes place this Saturday, July 11, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, anchoring International Fight Week.
Mauricio Ruffy lands a punch on Michael Chandler during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Ruffy Rises to the Occasion
Ruffy announced his decision via an Instagram video on Sunday:
He revealed that the UFC contacted him while he was on vacation, asking him to stay in shape for a potential emergency call.
“I made myself available for the Conor McGregor fight and Max Holloway,” Ruffy said in the video. “I’m going on a trip to Las Vegas. I took good care of myself. These guys made me train halfway through my vacation.”
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To prove his readiness, Ruffy stepped on the scale, weighing in at approximately 185.6 pounds. He will need to cut roughly 14 pounds to make the non-title welterweight limit of 171 pounds by Friday’s official weigh-ins.
While the UFC has not yet made an official statement, Ruffy’s announcement confirms he is the designated backup.
Will McGregor or Holloway Withdraw?
The main event features McGregor making his long-awaited return to the Octagon for the first time in five years to face former featherweight champion and former BMF champion Max Holloway in a welterweight bout.
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The UFC’s decision to secure a backup is a smart precaution given McGregor’s recent history.
(L-R) Conor McGregor and Michael ChandlerChris Unger/Zuffa LLC-Getty Images
McGregor was famously forced to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler in 2024 due to a broken toe, which left the card scrambling for a replacement.
Holloway even referenced McGregor’s last-minute withdrawal, stating in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, “Just please show up Saturday night.”
Holloway, however, has a history of withdrawing from fights last-minute as well, and has actually backed out of more fights than McGregor.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 05: Max Holloway is seen on stage during the UFC 326 press conference at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 05, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
The Hawaiian fighter previously postponed his trilogy bout with former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski back in 2022 due to an injury.
He also postponed a featherweight title defense against Brian Ortega in 2018 for UFC 226 because he was suffering concussion-like symptoms. Before that, commission doctors pulled Holloway out of a last-minute lightweight UFC 223 main event against Khabib Nurmagomedov due to a severe and dangerous weight cut.
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Ruffy’s Competitive History
Ruffy normally competes as a lightweight, but he has experience fighting above that limit, including a 165-pound catchweight bout in the UFC against James Llontop, whom he knocked out:
His current 5-1 record in the UFC includes four knockout victories, with three of them earning Performance of the Night bonuses. He is currently ranked No. 10 among UFC lightweights according to UFC media rankings, and No. 7 according to the UFC Meta rankings.
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The Brazilian’s highlight-reel spinning wheel kick knockout of Bobby Green at UFC 313 was ranked No. 2 among the UFC.com2025 knockout list (via UFC Español on YouTube):
This finishing ability makes him a dangerous opponent for either McGregor or Holloway should he be called upon to step in.
Ruffy Evaluates Himself
When analyzing the potential matchups, Ruffy expressed confidence in his chances against both legends. He believes a fight with the inactive McGregor will be a favorable stylistic clash for him.
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“Me against Conor McGregor, I believe it would be a very good fight,” Ruffy stated in his video. “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.”
Mauricio RuffyAl Drago/Getty Images
He also broke down a potential bout with the durable Holloway, citing his own power as the deciding factor. Ruffy is known for his aggressive style and his ability to finish fights when the opportunity presents itself.
“I believe it would be a really cool fight against Max Holloway, and I believe in my knockout power,” Ruffy said. “He’s a guy who doesn’t seek to play forward there all the time, but I go there to define the fights, and I don’t miss my chances.”
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“I don’t miss my chances,” Ruffy said, summarizing his mindset.
If McGregor or Holloway withdraws for any reason, Ruffy will be ready to step into the Octagon. The promotion is ensuring that the marquee main event for International Fight Week will proceed as planned.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
