Conor McGregor's UFC contract status in doubt after UFC 329 injury
Conor McGregor suffered a catastrophic knee injury in the opening seconds of his UFC 329 rematch with Max Holloway, throwing into question whether the Irishman will fulfill the final fight on his promotional contract.
McGregor bolted from his corner to start the main event Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena but crumpled immediately after his first offensive strike, unable to plant on both legs. The referee stopped the bout moments later. As MMA Mania first reported, the injury marks McGregor's second consecutive fight ended by physical breakdown — he shattered his ankle against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021 and spent five years mounting his comeback.
McGregor's recovery timeline and contract status
Speaking to media before UFC 329, McGregor disclosed that he had one fight remaining on his deal and was already lined up for an April 2027 date, per MMA Mania. That timeline now appears unlikely given the rehab required for a blown knee. McGregor posted on Twitter that he would return, writing, "I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return."
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev mocked the result on social media Sunday. "Conor beat Conor congrats Max," Makhachev posted on X, according to Sherdog. Makhachev also left a laughing emoji under Alexander Volkanovski's Instagram reaction to the injury. The jab carries extra sting given McGregor's recent praise for the Dagestani, whom he ranked above Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier in a pre-fight interview.
At 37 and carrying multiple injury setbacks — including a broken toe that delayed his 329 return by months — McGregor faces a narrow window to complete his UFC obligations. Whether another massive payday or contract freedom motivates one more bout remains unclear. Makhachev defends his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330.
Original reporting:
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