By Hannah Vore, Journalist Intern | July 16, 2026
Injury
Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the UFC ended in just 1 minute, 9 seconds Saturday night when he injured his right leg against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
He landed awkwardly on his right leg within the first few seconds after attempting a jump kick. He fell onto his back and took several punches from Holloway before getting back to his feet, only to go down again.
He immediately exited the Octagon limping and skipped his post-fight Octagon interview.
“When I saw him hurt, I was like, ‘Man, come on. Call this.’ He was done, you know?” Holloway said. “I just [wish] him a speedy recovery.”
Holloway was awarded a technical knockout (TKO) victory, evening their series at 1-1 after McGregor won their last fight, nearly 13 years ago.
“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury/injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell,” said McGregor in a social media post.
UFC CEO Dana White believes he may have torn his right ACL.
“We’re assuming a blown ACL. I’m no doctor, but that’s what I figured when I saw it, and doctors think the same thing too,” said White.
Speculation About Preexisting Injury
Some speculated McGregor had a preexisting injury before the fight began; however, both White and McGregor denied it.
“If there was a preexisting injury, somebody would have noticed,” White said. “I don’t think there was. Anything is possible, but he sure didn’t look like it. And for 80 million people [to watch him] on my account alone, that overall number has to be massive. Nobody noticed anything, so, there you go.”
“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident,” said McGregor.
What Comes Next
According to ESPN, 92% of money wagered was on McGregor to win. He requested all bets be refunded.
“The fight should be a no contest and all bets returned,” he wrote on his Instagram story Wednesday night.
He also announced that he plans to undergo surgery and return for the final fight of his UFC contract.
“I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return,” said McGregor.