Terrance McKinney announced his permanent move to the welterweight division following a significant setback at the UFC 334 weigh-ins.
The lightweight fighter missed the 156-pound limit for his scheduled bout against Jim Miller, weighing in at 160.2 pounds on Friday morning.
This incident marked the first time McKinney has failed to make weight in his 15-fight professional career, according to Yahoo Sports.
Following the weigh-in, McKinney utilized social media to issue a formal apology to the promotion and his opponent.
He declared that his time competing at 155 pounds has reached its conclusion, stating, “I’m sorry, but ship has sailed for 155; it’s official, my last bout at lightweight.”
Despite the weight miss, Miller agreed to proceed with the fight at Madison Square Garden.
As part of a negotiated compensation agreement, Miller will receive 30 percent of McKinney’s fight purse for the inconvenience.
McKinney expressed his gratitude toward the veteran fighter for keeping the contest intact, noting, “I wanna thank Jim Miller personally for still taking the fight.”
Miller is currently preparing for his 48th UFC appearance, a milestone that continues to build his legacy as one of the most active fighters in promotional history, as reported by video coverage.
The upcoming bout is part of a larger UFC 334 card that features heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the main event.
The event has already drawn attention for various reasons, including the antics of Josh Hokit, as noted by Last Word on Sports.
Looking ahead, McKinney intends to focus on his transition to the 170-pound division where he hopes to utilize his natural speed.
While his future in the new weight class remains uncertain, analysts have suggested potential matchups against strikers like Kevin Holland.
For now, McKinney must navigate the stylistic challenge posed by Miller’s elite grappling and extensive experience inside the Octagon.
The fight remains scheduled for November 14 in New York City, serving as a critical test for McKinney before he permanently changes weight classes.