Conor McGregor’s UFC Comeback Ends After Just 69 Seconds Due to Knee Injury

Conor McGregor’s UFC Comeback Ends After Just 69 Seconds Due to Knee Injury

Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the UFC ended in heartbreak after he suffered a knee injury just 69 seconds into his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.

The 37-year-old Irish fighter was making his first appearance in more than five years. He opened the bout with a flying left roundhouse kick but landed awkwardly on his right knee.

Although McGregor tried to continue by throwing a few more strikes, it quickly became clear he could not carry on. The scheduled five-round welterweight contest was stopped in the opening round.

UFC President Dana White said the injury is believed to be a torn ACL, although the full extent will be confirmed after medical examinations.

“Five years away from the sport is tough,” White said. “We’re assuming it’s a blown ACL. That’s what I thought when I saw it, and the doctors believe the same.”

Holloway, who entered the fight as the favourite, expressed disappointment over the way the contest ended.

“What can I say? I had him weak in the knees, I guess,” Holloway joked. “There was so much excitement around this fight. It’s unfortunate it ended this way, and I hope we get to do it again.”

The fight was a rematch of their 2013 featherweight meeting, which McGregor won by unanimous decision.

Before Saturday’s return, McGregor had not fought since breaking his left leg during a defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021. His last UFC victory came in January 2020, when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds.

Once the UFC’s biggest star, McGregor made history in 2016 by becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously in different weight divisions.

He also earned worldwide attention for his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., which reportedly earned him more than $100 million.