Conor McGregor blows knee in opening seconds at UFC 329
Conor McGregor's comeback fight at UFC 329 ended before it began Saturday night when he destroyed his knee on the opening strike against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
McGregor slipped twice in the opening seconds, hitting the canvas on his back both times as Holloway stood over him confused, MMA Mania reports. Video replay showed the Irish fighter buckled his knee throwing a leaping left roundhouse kick — the literal first offensive move of the bout. Holloway gestured to referee Herb Dean and allowed McGregor to stand, at which point it became clear the former two-division champion could not walk. The fight was waved off moments later.
Five-year layoff ends in instant disaster
McGregor had not competed since his disastrous leg break against Dustin Poirier in their 2021 trilogy fight. A failed comeback attempt in 2024 never materialised, and questions swirled about whether the 38-year-old would ever return to form. Saturday marked his first appearance in the cage since 2020, when he last recorded a win.
Holloway, who fought nine times during McGregor's absence, was coming off a loss to Charles Oliveira but had knocked out Justin Gaethje for the BMF title earlier in the year. The Hawaiian featherweight-turned-lightweight appeared ready to engage before the knee gave out. MMA Mania's Andrew Richardson wrote that McGregor "didn't land a single shot" and there "wasn't even a real exchange."
UFC 329's main card aired on Paramount Plus. No timeline has been announced for McGregor's recovery or whether another comeback attempt is in the works.
Original reporting:
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