LAS VEGAS — Five years of anticipation ended in just 69 seconds. Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon came to a devastating conclusion Saturday night after the former two-division UFC champion suffered an apparent knee injury in the opening minute of his UFC 329 main event against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena. The bout was officially ruled a victory for Holloway (28-9 MMA, 24-9 UFC) after McGregor (22-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) was unable to continue.
McGregor entered the arena looking like the version of himself that first captivated the MMA world more than a decade ago.”The Notorious” brought back his signature mohawk hairstyle for the first time since his 2013 UFC debut against Marcus Brimage and walked to the Octagon accompanied by his iconic entrance music featuring The Foggy Dew by Sinead O’Connor blended with Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G.
He performed his trademark “billionaire strut,” soaked in the atmosphere, and kissed the sky as Bruce Buffer introduced him before a sold-out crowd for what UFC CEO Dana White later described as the highest-grossing event in company history.
Everything appeared set for another memorable McGregor performance. Instead, disaster struck almost immediately.
Injury Ends the Fight
As soon as the opening bell sounded, McGregor charged forward aggressively and attempted a jumping kick. When he landed, his right knee appeared to buckle underneath him.
McGregor attempted to regain his footing but collapsed to the canvas two more times without taking a strike from Holloway. Referee Mike Beltran quickly recognized something was seriously wrong as Holloway briefly paused and looked toward the official while McGregor grimaced in visible pain.
After briefly standing once more. McGregor acknowledged he could not continue, prompting Beltran to wave off the contest just 69 seconds into the fight.
A Cruel Déjà Vu
Ironically, McGregor also suffered a knee injury during his first meeting with Holloway in 2013. On that occasion, he fought through the injury and earned a unanimous decision victory.
This time, however, the damage appeared far more severe. The injury also comes just five years after McGregor suffered the gruesome broken leg that ended his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021 and kept him out of competition until UFC 329.
Following Saturday’s stoppage. McGregor declined an in-cage interview but was able to slowly make his way backstage under his own power. The full extent of the injury remains unknown.
Holloway Calls for Trilogy
Despite earning the victory, Holloway admitted afterward that the ending was far from how he envisioned the rematch unfolding. Rather than celebrating, the former featherweight champion expressed sympathy for his longtime rival and even suggested he would welcome a third fight if McGregor is able to recover.
It was a respectful moment following one of the most unfortunate endings to a UFC main event in recent memory.
More Questions Than Answers
McGregor’s comeback was supposed to answer lingering questions about whether one of combat sports’ biggest stars could still compete at the highest level. Instead, UFC 329 created even more uncertainty. The event that captivated the MMA world for months ended almost before it began.
Now, fans are left waiting once again not for another fight announcement. But for answers about McGregor’s latest injury and whether one of the sport’s most iconic careers has reached its final chapter.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
