McGregor injures knee, loses to Holloway in 69 seconds on UFC return

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The referee stopped the welterweight contest at UFC 329 after McGregor fell to the mat thrice within the first minute.

Printed On 12 Jul 2026

Conor McGregor’s much-hyped ‌return to the octagon lasted simply over a minute on ⁠Saturday after the ⁠Irishman blew out his knee and retired injured in his UFC 329 combat with Max Holloway in Las Vegas.

Former two-weight ⁠world champion McGregor, who had not fought since breaking his leg towards Dustin Poirier in July 2021, tried a flying kick to start out ⁠the opening spherical however landed awkwardly and instantly seemed in hassle.

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He tried to combat on for a number of seconds however seemed in direction of the referee to sign he couldn’t proceed.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Conor McGregor of Ireland falls after sustaining an injury on a kick in the first around against Max Holloway of the United States in their welterweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ian Maule/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Ian Maule / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) — Conor McGregor of Eire falls after sustaining an damage on a kick within the first spherical towards Max Holloway of america of their welterweight bout throughout UFC 329 at T-Cellular Area [Ian Maule/Getty Images via AFP]

Former featherweight champ Holloway mentioned he would talk about ‌the potential of staging one other combat with McGregor when the Irishman recovers.

“It’s what it’s, I’m going to sit down down with the UFC,” Holloway added. “(There was) a lot hype for that proper there. We’ve received to run it again yet one more time. Yet another time for the boys.”

Saturday’s bout was the second between the ⁠pair, with McGregor successful by unanimous choice in 2013.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Max Holloway of the United States lands a punch on Conor McGregor of Ireland during the first round in their welterweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ian Maule/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Ian Maule / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) — Max Holloway lands a punch on Conor McGregor in the course of the first spherical of their welterweight bout throughout UFC 329 [Ian Maule/Getty Images/AFP]

Accidents ⁠and points away from the game have derailed McGregor’s profession.

After breaking his leg towards Poirier 5 years in the past, the 37-year-old was slated to fulfill Michael Chandler in June 2024, however that was cancelled after McGregor suffered a damaged toe in coaching.

Later that yr, a jury in ⁠an Irish civil court docket discovered him liable ⁠for the rape of Nikita Hand in 2018.

In October 2025, he accepted an 18-month ban for “whereabouts failures” after he missed three makes an attempt by Fight Sports activities Anti-Doping to gather organic samples ‌from him in 2024. The ban was backdated and expired in March.

Within the co-main occasion on the T-Cellular Area on Saturday, Britain’s Paddy ‌Pimblett ‌additionally wanted lower than a minute to safe victory, choking out Frenchman Benoit Saint-Denis of their light-weight bout.

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