Conor McGregor‘s return to the UFC octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas concluded after just 69 seconds of the first round. The fight was stopped due to a knee injury sustained by McGregor, marking his first appearance in more than five years.
McGregor, who is 37 years old, initiated the bout with a left roundhouse kick but landed awkwardly on his right knee. Despite attempting two more kicks and strikes against Holloway, it became evident that McGregor could not continue the scheduled five-round welterweight contest. UFC chief executive Dana White commented on the injury, stating that he suspected a blown ACL, a sentiment shared by doctors, though he clarified he is not a medical professional.
Holloway acknowledged the swift end to the fight, expressing a desire for a rematch. McGregor, in turn, denied any pre-existing injury, stating on social media that he had been throwing kicks and jumping throughout his training camp and backstage before the fight. He described the sudden injury as coming “out of nowhere” and a profoundly difficult experience.
Injury and career implications
The severity of McGregor’s knee injury was not immediately clear following the fight. He was observed limping out of the arena and declined an offer of crutches. Michael Bisping, a former UFC champion, suggested that if the injury requires significant surgery, such as for a blown ACL, and necessitates a recovery period of a year or more, it could potentially signal the end of McGregor’s career.
This bout was McGregor’s third consecutive defeat, leaving him with only one victory since 2016. His last fight was in 2021, where he broke his left leg in a defeat against Dustin Poirier. Prior to that injury, McGregor was a prominent figure in the UFC, notably becoming the first fighter to simultaneously hold two titles in different weight classes in 2016.
Reports indicate that McGregor earned a substantial amount after a boxing superfight against Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2017. His last UFC victory was a 40-second triumph over Donald Cerrone in January 2020.
Reactions and future outlook
The abrupt conclusion of the fight generated various reactions from the mixed martial arts community. Paddy Pimblett, who secured a victory in the co-main event, humorously declared himself the new face of the organisation upon learning of McGregor’s early exit. Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion, posted on social media, stating, “Conor beat Conor, congrats Max.”
The fight was a rematch of a 2013 featherweight bout, which McGregor won by unanimous decision. This time, both fighters competed as welterweights. McGregor entered the fight with two bouts remaining on his UFC contract, with expectations of a return in early 2027. However, this timeline is now uncertain as he seeks treatment for his right knee injury.
McGregor has been involved in multiple lawsuits during his time away from the octagon. In November 2024, Nikita Hand won a claim against him for damages for assault by rape in a civil case. A jury found that McGregor sexually assaulted Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, and he was ordered to pay her £206,000 plus damages. McGregor lost his civil jury appeal in July 2025. Hand subsequently announced her intention to sue him and two others for damages, alleging malicious abuse of court processes. McGregor maintains his innocence regarding these allegations.
The UFC 329 event reportedly achieved the company’s biggest live gate in its history.
McGregor’s last fight before this event was five years and a day prior to Saturday night’s bout.
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Source: theguardian.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
