Overview
- Mauricio Ruffy announced on Sunday, July 5 that he has made himself available to replace Conor McGregor or Max Holloway at UFC 329 and plans to travel to Las Vegas on Monday to be on standby.
- The scheduled welterweight rematch between McGregor and Holloway remains set for July 11 and Ruffy is positioned as an emergency replacement rather than a formally confirmed alternate.
- In a social‑media video Ruffy showed a scale reading of about 185.6 pounds and said the UFC asked him to stay on weight during his vacation, adding he believes he can reach the 170‑pound limit within a week if needed.
- Ruffy’s recent first‑round stoppage of Michael Chandler and stylistic similarities to McGregor have raised his profile and made him a logical short‑notice option according to multiple outlets.
- If the UFC uses a backup the key practical hurdles will be making weight, passing commission medicals and rapid travel logistics so the next developments to watch are any formal confirmation from the promotion and the fighters’ medical and weigh‑in status before fight week.