Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC comeback ended almost as soon as it began.
TMZ reported that McGregor lost to Max Holloway by technical knockout after suffering a leg injury early in the UFC 329 main event in Las Vegas. The official UFC results listed Holloway’s win as a TKO due to knee injury at 1:09 of Round 1.
The fight was supposed to mark McGregor’s first UFC bout in more than five years. Instead, his return lasted only 69 seconds.
McGregor’s Comeback Ended in the Opening Minute
McGregor faced Holloway at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, July 11. The rematch carried major attention because their first UFC meeting came in 2013, when McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision.
TMZ reported that McGregor appeared to struggle immediately after throwing a roundhouse kick, then fell again while trying to continue before grabbing his right leg in pain.
The Associated Press reported that McGregor landed awkwardly on his right knee after opening the fight with a flying left roundhouse kick. After trying to kick and strike Holloway two more times, it became clear he could not continue the scheduled five-round welterweight bout.
The stoppage came at 1:09 of the first round. UFC’s official result listed Holloway as the winner by TKO due to a knee injury.
Holloway Said He Wanted the Fight Stopped
Holloway said after the fight that he could tell McGregor was hurt. According to AP, Holloway said he repeatedly told referee Mike Beltran to stop the bout because McGregor’s demeanor had changed and he appeared unable to defend himself normally.
“When I saw him hurt, I said, ‘Call this, he’s hurt,’ ” Holloway said.
Holloway also wished McGregor a speedy recovery.
McGregor Said the Injury “Came Out of Nowhere”
McGregor later wrote on social media that he had no injury going into the fight and said the knee issue “came out of nowhere.”
AP reported that UFC president Dana White said there were no visible signs of a preexisting injury at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in. White said he was assuming a blown ACL, but that should not be treated as a confirmed diagnosis unless McGregor or UFC releases a medical update.
TMZ noted that he fractured his left leg in his 2021 fight against Dustin Poirier, which kept him out of the Octagon for years.
