Conor McGregor to undergo surgery but promises another UFC fight

Conor McGregor, who is set to celebrate his 38th birthday on July 14, is planning a return to the Octagon in 2026 after suffering a right leg injury at UFC 329, which he said will require surgery.

McGregor (22-7) suffered an apparent knee injury seconds into the first round of a loss to Max Holloway in a comeback fight on Saturday in Las Vegas. McGregor did not share the exact nature of his injury or provide a timeline for his possible return.

"Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again." McGregor wrote on Instagram on Monday. "Final fight of the contract. Praise God!"

McGregor said in a social media post after the fight that he was healthy entering the bout.

"My head gasket is gone. Destroyed," he wrote. "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."

Even with one fight remaining on his UFC contract, his future with the elite MMA promotion is unclear.

UFC is apparently open to letting McGregor make another return with considerable interest in his Saturday fight. CEO Dana White said he's already thinking about McGregor's next fight and had "five ideas" for his opponent if he had beaten Holloway.

McGregor recovered from a torn ACL in 2013, which he injured in his first bout with Holloway, and broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021.