UFC 329: Conor McGregor’s comeback ends in injury agony against Max Holloway

LAS VEGAS: Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the UFC ended in disappointment on Saturday when the Irishman suffered a knee injury just moments into his UFC 329 clash with Max Holloway here at T-Mobile Arena.

McGregor, competing for the first time since fracturing his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, attempted an opening-round flying kick but landed awkwardly and immediately appeared to be in distress. 

Although he briefly tried to continue, he was unable to proceed and signalled to the referee that he could not fight on.

Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion, said he had initially urged officials to stop the contest after noticing McGregor was struggling.

“I told the ref ‘stop the fight, he doesn’t want to fight. His demeanour isn’t right’,” Holloway said. “I’m not trying to beat up a wounded dog.”

The American said he would discuss a possible rematch with the UFC once McGregor has recovered, adding: “We’ve got to run it back one more time. One more time for the boys.”

McGregor later revealed his frustration on social media, saying he had entered the fight without any previous injury concerns.

“Destroyed. I had no injury/injuries going into the fight,” he wrote. “I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere.”

The defeat adds to a difficult period for the 37-year-old, whose career has been disrupted by injuries and controversies outside the cage. 

McGregor’s scheduled bout with Michael Chandler in 2024 was cancelled after he suffered a broken toe during training.

In the evening’s co-main event, Britain’s Paddy Pimblett secured a quick victory, submitting France’s Benoit Saint-Denis in less than a minute.