Conor McGregor’s UFC return ends with knee injury against Max Holloway

By Ananya Iyer — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

McGregor’s return cut short

Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC octagon at UFC 329 in Las Vegas concluded abruptly due to a knee injury during his bout against Max Holloway. The fight, which marked McGregor’s first appearance in over five years, ended at 1:09 of the first round.

McGregor, who entered the fight as an underdog, attempted a flying left roundhouse kick early in the match and landed awkwardly on his right knee. Despite trying to continue and strike Holloway two more times, it became evident that McGregor (22-7-0) could not complete the scheduled five-round welterweight contest.

UFC CEO Dana White commented on the injury, stating, “I mean, I was expecting at least a one-round war. Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio, whatever else, after a five-year layoff, and there you go. 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.” Holloway (28-9-0) remarked, “What can I say? I had him weak in the knees I guess. So much hype. We’ve got to run it back one more time. For it to end like this sucks.”

This fight was a rematch of their 2013 featherweight encounter, which McGregor had won by unanimous decision. McGregor had not fought since sustaining a broken left leg in a 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier.

Reactions and future speculation

Following the fight, McGregor denied carrying any injury into the event. He posted on social media, “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.” Some had speculated that he might have been injured leading up to the event, but he refuted these claims.

Michael Bisping, Britain’s first UFC champion and a pundit for Paramount+, suggested the severity of the injury could impact McGregor’s career. “If it’s a real surgery, if he’s blown his ACL and will have to take a year or 18 months out, that’s it. The career is over.” McGregor was seen limping out of the arena, reportedly refusing crutches.

Paddy Pimblett, who secured a victory in the co-main event, reacted to McGregor’s early exit, stating, “Oh my god, McGregor’s done already? He’s finished, the new boy is in town. I can become the face of the organisation now. You could call that the changing of the guard, I can be the new face of MMA now. I just got a finish in 52 seconds on the biggest card of the year.” UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev also commented, posting, “Conor beat Conor, congrats Max.”

McGregor’s last UFC victory was a 40-second win over Donald Cerrone in January 2020. His professional MMA record now stands at 22 wins and seven defeats. He has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract.

Controversies and career hiatus

During his time away from the octagon, McGregor was involved in multiple lawsuits. In November 2024, Nikita Hand won her claim against him for damages for assault by rape in a civil case, with a jury finding that McGregor sexually assaulted Hand in December 2018 and ordering him to pay £206,000 plus damages. McGregor lost his civil jury appeal in July 2025.

Despite these legal challenges, McGregor has maintained his innocence. When asked about public discomfort with his presence in the spotlight, he stated, “I’m an innocent man and I’ll stand for my innocence until the day I go out.” He had previously been the UFC’s most marketable star, becoming the first to hold two titles simultaneously at different weights in 2016.

The fight against Holloway was held on Saturday night, exactly five years and a day after McGregor’s last fight.

Source: theguardian.com