Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329 lasted just 69 seconds after the Irishman suffered a knee injury in Las Vegas
Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC lasted just 69 seconds after he suffered a knee injury against Max Holloway. The Irishman was stepping back into the Octagon for the first time in five years following his leg break against Dustin Poirier, as he faced Holloway in a rematch of their 2013 bout.
However, McGregor‘s night lasted just 69 seconds after he landed awkwardly on his right leg and was forced to withdraw from the contest. He was met with jeers from the crowd as he received treatment, though Holloway rallied to his rival’s defence.
“Let’s give it up for Connor [McGregor], what an absolute animal,” he said. “You guys are lucky because there is going to be a Holloway v McGregor three now. Let’s get that money. It is what it is. I’ll sit down with the UFC. There was so much hype for that. We have to run it back one more time. We need one more. I was looking forward to this. I was working hard to get to 170 [lbs] and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks.”
And at the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White offered an update on McGregor’s condition while they await final word on the injuries suffered from the fight. He said: “Five years off in this sport is rough. I was expecting at least a one-round war or who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five year layoff. There you go. We’re assuming blown ACL. I’m no doctor but that’s what I figured when I saw it and the doctors think the same thing, too.”
As McGregor charged toward the centre of the Octagon with his legendary walkout track reverberating around the arena, many sensed something was amiss following Paddy Pimblett’s stunning victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event.
Yet even as he climbed the steps to the cage, there appeared to be signs of trouble on McGregor’s right side, with the fighter visibly wincing before launching into his trademark ‘billi strut’.
Holloway, unbothered by the magnitude of the moment, stayed completely focused. However, the bout ended in an instant after McGregor charged towards the centre of the cage and immediately attempted an unsuccessful spinning kick, landing somewhat awkwardly on his right leg – which marked the start of the finish for the former two-division world champion, reports the Mirror.
The 37-year-old stumbled several times, with Holloway seemingly hesitant to grapple on the mat, gesturing for the referee to bring the ‘Notorious’ back to his feet. When McGregor eventually returned upright, something appeared wrong as he limped back into his fighting position before a quick shake of the head prompted the referee to intervene and halt a fairly disappointing contest, which lasted barely more than 60 seconds.
While Holloway pushed for a third meeting with the ‘Notorious’ – if the Irishman has indeed sustained an ACL tear or another serious leg injury – it could be well over a year before he returns to training. With the Dubliner turning 38 in a matter of days, many are questioning whether they have witnessed the UFC icon’s final Octagon appearance.
In the co-main event, Pimblett sent a warning to the lightweight division after submitting Saint-Denis mere seconds into their bout. The French fighter threw an unsuccessful leg kick moments after the opening bell, and paid the price when Pimblett caught his opponent in a choke before forcing ‘God of War’ to tap out.
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The Scouser was quick to call out numerous names, including Ilia Topuria. “Sub of the year! I knew he was out. I had to say to the ref ‘he’s not conscious’ and he had to check him. I told everyone all week, try to grab my legs and I will choke him unconscious,” he said after the fight.
“I’m like a spider. When I’ve got hold of you, you don’t get out and it’s as simple as that. Everyone counted me out. Everyone said I was finished because I lost to Gaethje but what now? Am I finished? Who wants it next? I’ll beat Ilia [Topuria] up, I’ll rematch Justin [Gaethje], I’ll fight Conor [McGregor] or Max [Holloway] next. Give me everyone and I’ll punch their head in.”