Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor announced Monday that he will undergo knee surgery following a devastating injury suffered just over a minute into his highly anticipated return at UFC 329, while vowing to compete again to fulfill his promotional obligations on his current UFC contract.
The 37-year-old former two-division champion faced Max Holloway on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, marking his first appearance in the Octagon in five years. The bout was stopped just 69 seconds into the opening round after McGregor landed awkwardly on his right leg while attempting a jumping switch kick, resulting in a technical knockout victory for Holloway.
In a statement posted to social media, McGregor rejected speculation that he entered the fight with an existing injury, writing that his knee problem occurred unexpectedly. He explained the sudden nature of the joint failure on X, writing: “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.”
McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, echoed that assessment, saying McGregor experienced no knee issues throughout training camp and had repeatedly executed the same technique without incident. UFC President Dana White later indicated that medical personnel suspect McGregor suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), though an official long-term diagnosis is pending an upcoming MRI examination.
Despite the severe setback, the Irish fighter mapped his path towards recovery and asserted that his career inside the cage is not over, writing on Instagram: “Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract. Please God!”
The latest setback continues a frustrating stretch for McGregor, whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries. McGregor has not won a UFC bout since 2020 and previously suffered a devastating broken leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021. A planned 2024 return against Michael Chandler was also scrapped because of injury, delaying his comeback by another year before UFC 329.
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