Conor McGregor remains one of the biggest draws in UFC history because of his unmatched star power and memorable octagon performances. His UFC 329 return against Max Holloway remains the talk of the town despite years of controversy.
Now, Mauricio Ruffy has revealed he will serve as the backup fighter, potentially facing McGregor in what many believe could be the Irishman's final professional bout.
McGregor and Holloway first met at UFC Fight Night 26 in 2013, when the Irishman earned a unanimous decision despite suffering a knee injury. Both later became two of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, making their rematch one of the sport's biggest storylines. With McGregor pursuing a successful comeback and Holloway chasing revenge, the stakes extend far beyond a single win.
Ruffy joined the UFC in 2023 and has quickly climbed the rankings with a string of impressive performances. The Brazilian contender has consistently targeted experienced veterans, reflecting his ambition to prove himself against the division's toughest competition. Ahead of UFC 329, Ruffy revealed that he will fly to Las Vegas to serve as the backup for McGregor vs. Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena.
I made myself available for the Conor McGregor fight and Max Holloway. I'm going on a trip to Las Vegas. I took good care of myself. These guys made me train halfway through my vacation. This fight will take place in the [170-pound] division, so let's see here how much weight I kept. I have to tell you, that was the time I gained the most weight.
Mauricio Ruffy via InstagramRuffy recently delivered a first-round knockout victory over Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250, climbing from No. 9 to No. 7 in the Meta UFC Rankings. He also earned a knockout win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325, continuing his rapid rise with another statement performance inside the Octagon.
Interestingly, Ruffy was also discussed as a potential opponent for McGregor's return before the Holloway fight took shape. The Brazilian revealed there were early talks of a McGregor clash at the White House event, before the UFC finalized the Hawaiian star as the comeback opponent, while Ruffy faced Chandler.
Ruffy's rise has also been fueled by his former association with the Fighting Nerds team, one of Brazil's most prominent UFC camps. The team featured several notable Brazilian contenders, including Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, and Carlos Prates. However, Ruffy parted ways with Fighting Nerds in May 2026.
It is also important to note how well Ruffy responded after his submission loss to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris. The defeat ended his unbeaten UFC run. However, he bounced back with knockout victories over Fiziev and Chandler, showing the setback may have fueled his recent resurgence.
Mauricio Ruffy is also training in Australia, with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in his corner. That experience could prove valuable if the lightweight contender is required to move up to welterweight and replace either Conor McGregor or Max Holloway at UFC 329.
Conor McGregor's net worth is estimated at around $200 million, making him one of the wealthiest athletes in MMA history. His rise through the UFC from early 2013 and business ventures created a blueprint many fighters now follow in pursuit of sporting and financial success.
'The Notorious One' has expanded his fortune through several business ventures, including Forged Irish Stout, Black Forge Inn, and Greenback Records. He also owns luxury properties, an extensive supercar collection, and the Lamborghini Tecnomar 63 yacht, reflecting his success beyond the Octagon.
McGregor's last UFC appearance came at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout, ending in a devastating first-round defeat. He suffered a fractured left tibia and fibula after his leg buckled at the end of the opening round, resulting in one of the most gruesome injuries in UFC history.
After UFC 264, many believed McGregor's career was over, especially after withdrawing from the scheduled UFC 303 bout against Michael Chandler. However, he is now set to return after five years of inactivity against Max Holloway at UFC 329. McGregor recently reaffirmed he still has goals left in MMA.
There's so much accolades left in this game for me. More belts, more knockouts, more records, more cash.
Conor McGregor via UFCAt 38 years old, McGregor enters the next chapter of his career with an opportunity to reshape his legacy inside the Octagon. Balancing family life and business success, the former two-division champion remains determined to add more accomplishments to his already remarkable career.
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