Conor McGregor tears ACL and meniscus, targets summer 2027 return

Conor McGregor will be out until next summer after tearing his ACL and meniscus at UFC 329 earlier this month.

The former two-division champion blew out his knee just moments into his rematch with Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ending his comeback attempt before it ever truly started. McGregor posted a full injury update Sunday, confirming the extent of the damage and laying out his recovery plan.

McGregor's ACL recovery timeline mirrors 2013 injury

"It was ACL and meniscus," McGregor wrote, per MMA Fighting. "It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within 9 months to fight Diego Brandao back then. With today's regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods it is well within my realm to return by next summer."

McGregor added that he is already walking without crutches and has done leg extension work under resistance. His first fight with Holloway in 2013 sidelined him for 11 months after he injured his left knee, meaning a June 2027 comeback is realistic if the timeline holds.

The setback marks another frustrating chapter for McGregor, who spent five years out of action following his leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021. He had lobbied for a December return after UFC 329 but will now face a much longer wait.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Conor McGregor provides update on extent of his knee injury, gives timeline for UFC return