McGregor Names Two UFC Legends Motivating ACL Return

Conor McGregor is drawing inspiration from two UFC Hall of Famers as he begins recovery from his second career ACL reconstruction.

The Irish star underwent surgery on his left knee after suffering the injury just over a minute into his UFC 329 loss to Max Holloway in Las Vegas. McGregor tore his other knee ligament during their first fight years ago but fought through for a decision win. This time the damage ended the bout immediately.

St-Pierre And Cruz Named As Comeback Models

In a video posted to social media, McGregor singled out Georges St-Pierre and Dominick Cruz as proof that fighters can return from multiple ACL tears. "I want to give a shout out to Dominick Cruz, who returned from multiple ACLs to recapture his bantamweight crown," he said, per MMA Junkie. "Georges St-Pierre, multiple ACLs — I don't know whether he returned after his second ACL, however, he's doing backflips, movement is still stellar."

McGregor added NFL stars Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson to his list of athletes who overcame the same injury. "These are my motivation here, especially the fighting boys," he said. "Unstoppable baby — my mindset is unstoppable, unbreakable."

The former two-division champion has called his final contracted UFC bout the "Last Dance" and says only a trilogy with Holloway will do. His original April 2027 deadline will reportedly need to be pushed back several months.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Conor McGregor motivated by two UFC legends amid second ACL surgery: “The Mac is back, baby”