Conor McGregor knee injury worse than expected: two tears

Conor McGregor suffered two separate tears in his right knee at UFC 329, including a torn ACL, according to UFC CEO Dana White.

White confirmed the injury details during the UFC Oklahoma City post-fight press conference, as MMA Mania first reported. When asked about McGregor's specific diagnosis, White turned to Hunter Campbell off stage for confirmation. "ACL," Campbell responded, according to the report. "And there's another tear. There's two." White repeated the diagnosis grimly, adding that McGregor's knee was in bad shape.

McGregor surgery and recovery timeline

The Irish star collapsed seconds into his welterweight bout with Max Holloway after landing a jumping switch kick. His leg gave out multiple times before the stoppage just over a minute into the first round. White told reporters McGregor is awaiting surgery and will need extensive physical therapy before discussions about his fighting future resume. "When the doctor says, 'You can start hardcore training again,' then we start talking about Conor McGregor again," White said, per MMA Mania.

Top athletes typically require nine months to a year to return from an ACL tear. At 38 years old with two knee tears confirmed, McGregor faces a significantly longer road back to competition. White indicated he would not address McGregor's status again until the former champion returns to serious training.

The injury left UFC 329 attendees feeling shortchanged after paying over 25 million dollars collectively to witness the Las Vegas event at T-Mobile Arena.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Conor McGregor injury update: Irish sports star suffered two tears in his knee