Conor McGregor’s long-awaited comeback against Max Holloway ended in heartbreak on Sunday afternoon at UFC 329 after the Irishman injured his leg in the opening seconds of the fight.
The sold-out arena fell silent after McGregor attempted an explosive jumping roundhouse kick but landed awkwardly, immediately appearing to be in distress.
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Although McGregor tried to get back to his feet, he was soon back on the canvas having clearly injured his right knee.
With ‘Notorious’ unable to stand, Holloway landed several shots on the downed fighter before referee Mike Beltran stopped the contest just 1:09 into the opening round.
EVERY KO & submission from UFC 329 | 05:53
McGregor hobbled out of the arena without making a statement, but took to social media afterwards to shed light on his mental and physical condition.
“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” McGregor wrote on X. “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.”
The Irishman also strongly hit back at suggestions he went into the fight carrying an injury, with many speculating there were signs of a leg problem in vision of him preparing to enter the Octagon.
“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” McGregor wrote.
“The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. 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.”
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As the official result was announced, many fans voiced their frustration by booing.
“We are sitting here in stunned disbelief,” said commentator Jon Anik.
“He blew his ACL out with the very first move.”
Daniel Cormier added: “It’s like somebody took my candy from me. I’m so sad.”
Fight fans and pundits had been waiting five years to see the Irish superstar back in action and were stunned by the result.
“Conor McGregor is done. When you have that type of layoff, the injuries happen that much quicker,” posted fight writer Abraham Gonzalez.
MMA scribe Aaron Bronsteter described the scenes as “just an awful outcome for everyone.”
It was a huge anticlimax following McGregor spending years teasing his return to the Octagon following a five-year layoff from a broken leg.
The injury looked serious and it could be another year before we see the superstar in the Octagon again. If we see him back again.
Former and current fighters also had a lot to say on the matter.
“I don’t know if we will ever see Conor McGregor again,” said Michael Bisping afterwards.
“Told you Conor would never fight again.” posted Matt Brown.
“Bro WTF happened? That’s the most embarrassing thing in the world to happen,” wrote Kevin Lee.
“Who’s more mad right now? Dana White or Conor fans?!” posted Corey Anderson.
“Iron shin bone and iron knee tendon will be back,” posted Paulo Costa.
“Jokes aside, feel bad for Conor. Not the way the fight should have ended.” posted Rafael dos Anjos.
Brian Ortega saw an opportunity to take a shot at McGregor after being criticised by the Irishman during the build-up.
Holloway said he was open to the idea of another rematch against McGregor, having first fought the superstar in 2013.
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“Give it up for Conor McGregor guys,” Holloway said. “What an absolute animal. He kept asking to fight on. You guys are lucky, there’s going to be a Holloway vs. McGregor 3 now. What can I say? I had him weak in the knees, I guess. It is what it is.
“So much hype for that. We’ve got to run it back one more time. We need one more. For it to end like this, it sucks.”