McGregor’s comeback ended almost immediately
UFC 329 was supposed to mark the beginning of a new chapter for McGregor.
The former two-division UFC champion had not competed inside the Octagon since suffering a broken left leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. His return against Holloway arrived after five years away and more than a decade after their first meeting.
McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision when they fought in 2013. Both men went on to become UFC champions, turning their eventual rematch into one of the biggest possible fights involving two stars from their era.
The second meeting, however, never developed into the fight fans expected.
McGregor rushed forward at the opening bell and attempted a jumping kick. He appeared to land awkwardly on his right leg and fell to the canvas.
Although he returned to his feet, his movement was clearly compromised. Holloway applied pressure while McGregor repeatedly struggled to stay upright.
Once it became apparent that McGregor could not properly support his weight, the referee stepped in and ended the contest.
Official UFC 329 result
- Winner: Max Holloway - Loser: Conor McGregor - Method: TKO due to knee injury - Round: 1 - Time: 1:09 - Division: Welterweight - Venue: T-Mobile Arena - Location: Las Vegas, Nevada - Date: July 11, 2026
The result improved Holloway’s professional record to 28-9 and moved McGregor to 22-7.
It also leaves their head-to-head series tied at one victory each.
McGregor breaks his silence
After leaving the Octagon with assistance from his team, McGregor addressed the result on social media.
He rejected suggestions that he had entered the fight carrying an existing injury, saying he had been throwing and landing kicks throughout training camp and backstage before the event.
McGregor described himself as calm, prepared and confident before the opening bell. He said the injury came without warning and admitted he was struggling to process what had happened.
Despite the devastating ending, he made his intentions clear.
“I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return,” McGregor wrote.
The statement suggests that McGregor does not currently view UFC 329 as the final appearance of his career. Whether another comeback is realistic will depend heavily on the confirmed diagnosis, required treatment and length of rehabilitation.
What is known about the injury?
The UFC has officially recorded the result as a TKO caused by a knee injury.
Dana White said after the event that doctors suspected McGregor may have suffered an ACL injury. That remained an initial assessment rather than a confirmed diagnosis.
An MRI and further medical examinations would be required to determine the exact damage.
That distinction matters. Recovery timelines can vary significantly depending on whether the injury involves the ACL, another ligament, the meniscus or a less serious issue.
Until McGregor or his medical team releases a confirmed diagnosis, reports describing the injury as a complete ACL tear should be treated cautiously.
Holloway wants the trilogy
Holloway received the official victory but acknowledged that the ending was not the decisive competitive conclusion either fighter wanted.
After the fight, Holloway expressed interest in facing McGregor for a third time once the Irishman has recovered.
A trilogy would give both fighters the opportunity to settle a rivalry that is now officially tied at 1-1.
McGregor won their first fight by decision in 2013. Holloway won the rematch by injury TKO in 2026.
There is currently no agreement, date or guarantee that a third fight will happen. McGregor must first receive a complete diagnosis and determine whether he is physically capable of beginning another UFC training camp.
Holloway’s immediate future is also undecided.
What the result means for both fighters
For Holloway, the victory adds another major name to his record and gives him a successful debut in this chapter of his welterweight career.
However, because the fight ended through an injury almost immediately, it revealed little about how the two men would match up over a full round or a longer contest.
For McGregor, the result is another painful interruption rather than the comeback performance he had spent years preparing to deliver.
He remains one of the most recognisable fighters in combat-sports history, but his next move will be determined by his health rather than matchmaking.
The result also changes the conversation surrounding the recent McGregor vs. Khabib rematch rumors. Before any future blockbuster matchup can be considered, McGregor must first establish the severity of his latest injury and whether another return is medically realistic.
Follow the ForfeitMedia MMA section for confirmed injury updates, fighter reactions and major UFC developments.
What happens next?
The next meaningful update should be McGregor’s confirmed medical diagnosis.
From there, several questions will need answers:
- Did McGregor suffer a complete or partial ligament tear? 2. Will surgery be required? 3. How long will rehabilitation take? 4. Does McGregor still intend to compete after recovering? 5. Will Holloway wait for a trilogy or pursue another welterweight opponent?
Until those details are available, any proposed return date would be speculation.
Bottom line
Max Holloway officially defeated Conor McGregor by first-round injury TKO at UFC 329, but the rematch ended before either fighter had the opportunity to establish control.
McGregor’s comeback lasted only 69 seconds after his right knee gave way during the opening exchange.
He has promised to return. Holloway has left the door open for a trilogy.
For now, everything depends on the medical diagnosis.
