Connect with us

MMA

Mauricio Ruffy announces backup role for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2: "I don't miss my chances"

Published

3 months ago

on

Mauricio Ruffy announces backup role for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2: "I don't miss my chances"

Mauricio Ruffy will serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 329 main event between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.

Many have viewed Ruffy as an exciting option to fight either McGregor or Holloway, and he could actually make one of those fights come to fruition if he is needed in an emergency situation. With a matchup as big as the “Notorious†one vs. “Blessed,†it's clear that the ideal scenario would be for both men to enter the bout as planned. Still, Ruffy is being viewed as a solid backup choice if necessary.

In a Instagram post, Ruffy made the announcement that he accepted the emergency fighter offer while on vacation.

“Hey guys. As you know, I made myself available for the Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway fight. I'm going on a trip to Las Vegas,†Ruffy revealed. “I took good care of myself. These guys made me train halfway through my vacation.â€

Ruffy then showed himself tipping the scales at around 185 pounds, meaning he'd have around 15 pounds to shed to solidify the backup spot during Friday's weigh-ins. The emerging Brazilian star also believes a showdown with McGregor would be easier than a clash against Holloway. Regardless, Ruffy feels his power would be too much for either man to handle.

Ruffy's decision to take the backup role was an easy one to make. He said, “I don't miss my chances,†and it could pay off if the stars align in his favor.

Following his UFC Paris setback against Benoit Saint Denis, Ruffy bounced back with a third-round TKO finish over Rafael Fiziev. It was a bonus-winning effort for Ruffy, who went on to stop Michael Chandler in the opening frame of their UFC Freedom 250 fight. If Ruffy gets the call to step inside the Octagon on Saturday, it would be the biggest bout of his career up to this point.

Do you like Mauricio Ruffy as the emergency fighter in case something goes awry with the Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway rematch? Share your opinion in the comments below.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MMA

Alex Pereira backs Paulo Costa to beat Magomed Ankalaev with pressure

Published

17 hours ago

on

October 14, 2026

By

Alex Pereira backs Paulo Costa to beat Magomed Ankalaev with pressure
Alex
Pereira believes aggression could be decisive in a potential
fight between Paulo Costa
and Magomed
Ankalaev.

With
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion
Carlos
Ulberg sidelined by injury, Costa and Ankalaev are seeking a
title opportunity. Pereira believes his fellow Brazilian can defeat
Ankalaev by applying pressure.

Alex Pereira says Paulo Costa must impose his pace to defeat
Magomed Ankalaev

“Poatan†said Costa must impose his pace to beat Ankalaev. He
expects a more evenly matched contest if Costa hesitates.

“I think ‘Borrachinha' [wins],†Pereira told Laerte Viana. “He's
more aggressive. I think ‘Borrachinha' would do better. If he stays
there like will he or won't he [hesitant], then it will be a fairly
even fight. You don't know who takes it. But if he imposes his
game, his rhythm, I think he takes it.â€

Costa (16-4) and Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC) have exchanged criticism
on social media, with Ankalaev accusing the Brazilian of declining
multiple offers to fight him. Costa has also publicly disputed the
UFC's proposed terms for his next bout, saying he wants to complete
the one fight remaining on his contract.

Continue Reading

MMA

Dana White dismisses Alex Pereira’s claims against Daniel Cormier: ‘I don’t tell anybody what to say’

Published

18 hours ago

on

October 14, 2026

By

Dana White dismisses Alex Pereira’s claims against Daniel Cormier: ‘I don’t tell anybody what to say’

Dana White puts no stock in Alex Pereira's complaints against Daniel Cormier.

“Of course that's not true,†White said. “These guys are the most paranoid people on the planet. Like we're telling DC — I've never told DC to do anything, ever. It doesn't work like that. We don't operate like that.â€

Pereira's complaint seems primarily to stem from his personal animosity with Gane. “Poatan†lost his fight with Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House, and has since lobbied for a rematch, citing illegal blows from Gane as the reason for his loss. Pereira has had some issues with the UFC before, but this one seems to run a bit deeper for the former two-division champion. It also comes at the same time as UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has been airing his grievances about the promotion. But for White, this is simply a normal part of fight promotion.

“I don't know. We have over 700 guys on contract, and we've talked about two of them being sideways right now,†White said. “This is normal when you're in this business. As you guys know — first of all, I've never told Rogan or DC or any of these guys to say anything about anybody. And one of the things, as a longtime fan of the fight business, I actually can't stand the commentators saying negative things about fighters or anything like that.

“But I don't tell anybody what to say. I don't tell the fighters what to say, I don't tell the commentators what to say. This thing all just plays out organically in the way that the fights are called, and whatever they say when they walk out here and they interview with you guys tonight. We don't police any of that stuff. If we did, Sean Strickland would've been gone three f*cking years ago, and we wouldn't even be having this conversation.â€

Continue Reading

MMA

Michael ‘Venom’ Page says 3 Misfits fights will pay more than 6 in UFC

Published

1 day ago

on

October 13, 2026

By

Michael ‘Venom’ Page says 3 Misfits fights will pay more than 6 in UFC
Michael
“Venom” Page says his new deal will pay him more than he earned
during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.

Page had promised an exciting performance against Nursulton
Ruziboev in September, the final bout of his UFC contract. He
won by unanimous decision, but the promotion opted not to re-sign
him. The Englishman now says his move to Misfits Boxing will bring
a substantial increase in earnings.

Michael Page compares three-fight Misfits contract with
earnings from six UFC appearances

Page produced highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator,
but all six of his UFC appearances went the distance. He finished
5-1 in the promotion, with his only loss coming against Ian
Garry.

Page (26-3) said he received offers from several promotions before
signing with Misfits. He expects to earn more from the three-fight
agreement than he did from his six UFC bouts, describing his new
compensation as roughly double what he previously earned. He also
said Misfits intends to launch an MMA show with him as a leading
figure.

“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve
continued to grow and get better financially,†Page told Ariel
Helwani. “They have vision for the future. They're trying to get an
MMA show going, with me kind of lead that way, be the face of that…
I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two times more,
maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal,
I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC contract.â€

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending