Terrance McKinney is set to face Jim Miller at UFC 334 on November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, the lightweight suffered a major setback during Friday morning’s weigh-ins.
Entering his 15th UFC appearance, McKinney missed weight for the first time in his career, tipping the scales at 160.2 pounds, 4.2 pounds over the 156-pound limit for a non-title lightweight bout. Following the weigh-in, McKinney issued an apology and revealed on X that this would be his final fight at lightweight.
Advertisement
McKinney said, “I’m sorry, but ship has sailed for 155; it’s official, my last bout at lightweight. I’m trusting in God will make sure I’m ready for whatever comes at welterweight.”
Along with apologizing to the UFC, McKinney also expressed regret to Miller and thanked the veteran for agreeing to keep the fight on the card.
He wrote in another tweet, “I wanna thank @JimMiller_155 personally for still taking the fight. He’s a real gangster, and also wanna apologies to him for failing to make Jim fucking Miller goated. Appreciate you for letting dream still be a reality fighting at msg.”
Advertisement
As compensation for the weight miss, Miller will receive 30% of McKinney’s fight purse. The bout will proceed as scheduled at UFC 334, headlined by heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane, with Josh Hokit also making headlines for his wild antics.
While the fight remains intact, it is unfortunate that McKinney’s first career weight miss has come against a UFC legend like Miller. The veteran is now preparing for his record-extending 48th UFC appearance, with the milestone of 50 fights inside the Octagon firmly in his sights.
Had the bout fallen through, it could have dealt a significant blow to Miller’s timeline for reaching that landmark. The longtime lightweight holds several UFC records, including the most wins in promotional history, the most victories and submission wins in the lightweight division, and the second-most finishes in UFC history. He also earned Fight of the Year honors in 2012.
Advertisement
What to expect from Terrance McKinney at welterweight?
McKinney still faces a major challenge at UFC 334, but his impending move to welterweight raises interesting questions about what lies ahead for him in the new division. Although he is not among the biggest lightweights, the move could give him an opportunity to add muscle and strength or rely on his speed to compete against larger opponents. McKinney is renowned for his knockout power at 155 pounds, but he is equally known for leaving himself vulnerable while chasing his trademark first-round finishes.
Remarkably, each of his last eight fights has ended in the opening round, with McKinney compiling a 5-3 record during that stretch. His most recent outing was a chaotic showdown against King Green at UFC 329. With both the lightweight and welterweight divisions stacked with dangerous and technically gifted fighters, McKinney’s transition to 170 pounds could bring just as much chaos as his recent run inside the Octagon.
ALSO READ: Joe Rogan Reveals UFC Plans to Introduce New Striking Rules, Including Oblique Kick Ban
Advertisement
Several welterweights would likely be eager to welcome McKinney to the division. While he is unlikely to land a ranked opponent immediately, a particularly entertaining matchup would be against No. 15-ranked Kevin Holland. Both fighters are exciting strikers who are willing to take risks in pursuit of spectacular finishes, making them a potentially explosive pairing.
However, McKinney must first turn his attention to the challenge awaiting him at UFC 334. His performance against Miller could go a long way toward determining the calibre of opponent he gets in his welterweight debut. The veteran presents a particularly difficult stylistic challenge, boasting elite submission skills, excellent fight IQ, and the patience to capitalize on his opponents’ mistakes.
McKinney will likely look to come out aggressively and swing for an early knockout. However, if he fails to find the finish, Miller could gradually impose his game plan, exploit McKinney’s defensive vulnerabilities, and wear him down with his grappling.
Advertisement
MORE MMA NEWS:
Dana White and Josh Hokit Share Their Takes on Usman Nurmagomedov-Merab Dvalishvili Altercation
Josh Hokit Sends Blunt Warning to Ciryl Gane Over Fouls Ahead of UFC 334
Johnny Walker Faces an Interesting Challenge Following His Brutal Knockout Over Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
