Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the UFC at UFC 329 ended abruptly due to a suspected ACL injury. He suffered the injury early in his welterweight bout against Max Holloway when he landed awkwardly on his right knee. The fight was stopped by referee Mike Beltran less than two minutes into the first round.
McGregor himself described the situation on social media, stating, "My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell."
UFC CEO Dana White indicated there were no apparent signs of a pre-existing injury leading up to the fight. "Five years off in this sport is rough," White said, adding that doctors suspect a blown ACL. "We’re assuming a blown ACL. That’s what I assumed when I saw it, and that’s what the doctors think, too."
Max Holloway recounted seeing McGregor in distress during the fight. "During the fight, you could see his demeanor change," Holloway said. "When I saw him hurt, I said, ‘Call this, he’s hurt.' I just hope for a speedy recovery."
This marks McGregor's first fight since July 2021, when he also suffered a devastating leg injury in a loss to Dustin Poirier. He has secured only one victory since 2020. The report also mentions a Fox Nation documentary, ‘UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History,’ which recaps the planning behind a past UFC event held on the White House lawn featuring President Donald Trump.