Mauricio Ruffy has been named as the backup fighter for Conor McGregor's UFC 329 bout against Max Holloway this weekend. Ruffy confirmed he has flown to Las Vegas in case either McGregor or Holloway is forced to withdraw due to injury.
McGregor's Long-Awaited Return
McGregor returns to the Octagon for the first time in five years, since breaking his leg in the first round of his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. He will face Holloway for the second time, 13 years after their first meeting in Boston, where McGregor won by points decision over three rounds.
Ruffy Ready to Step In
Ruffy, who last fought in June when he stopped Michael Chandler in the first round on the White House card, said: "I'm going on a trip to Las Vegas. I took good care of myself. These guys made me train in the middle of my vacation." He currently weighs around 185lb and will need to cut 15lb to make weight for the fight. He is expected to weigh in on Friday in case he is needed within 24 hours of the bout.
Discussing a potential fight with McGregor or Holloway, Ruffy said: "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. But I believe it would be a really cool fight against Max Holloway. 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."
McGregor's Confidence
McGregor, meanwhile, is confident he can knock out Holloway. "You do not want to be anywhere inside that Octagon with me," he said. "I am dangerous everywhere. I can knock you unconscious from everywhere inside that Octagon, and that's what I plan to do. There's a different animal entirely that is in front of Max Holloway here, and he's going to feel every bit of it."
All signs point to both McGregor and Holloway making the walk to the cage in Las Vegas on Saturday night, but Ruffy remains on standby.
