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Conor McGregor has finally revealed what exactly happened to his right knee during a very short return to the UFC octagon on July 11 in Las Vegas.
McGregor, who lost by technical knockout to Max Holloway at UFC 329, called it “pretty shocking” to learn what he was injured at UFC 329.
“Update: It was the ACL and meniscus,” McGregor posted on X.
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Ireland’s Conor McGregor prepares to face Max Holloway in a welterweight bout at UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 11, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“It’s the same injury from the first Holloway fight, but this time on the opposite leg. Pretty shocking.”
McGregor previously fought Holloway 13 years ago before becoming a global celebrity thanks to his mixed martial arts. It’s pure coincidence that this happened over a decade later, but McGregor is once again trying to keep a positive mindset.
“With current advances in regenerative medicine and improved training methods, it is well within my possibilities to return by next summer,” McGregor continued confidently. “I’m walking without a crutch. I did some leg extension work the other day with no problem. So I can walk unassisted and activate my quad under resistance. This is all very positive. I’m a maximum discipline and have maintained it fully since the fight.
JOE ROGAN SAYS ‘CRAZY’ KICK ATTEMPT BY CONOR MCGREGOR THAT RESULTED IN INJURIES: ‘YOU DON’T DO THAT’
“I wonder if I was saved from something worse here. I believe so. I would have attended the after-party as a ‘man’ and who knows then. I believe I was saved. Thank you God! Let’s go, no sad stories. Thank you for your support and well wishes to everyone, your health is your wealth.”
It wasn’t much of a fight, as McGregor attempted a roundhouse kick on Holloway. As McGregor landed on the canvas, he immediately grabbed his right knee and hit the deck.
Conor McGregor kicks Max Holloway in a welterweight fight at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. (John Locher/AP)
Holloway took advantage of the situation to try to catch McGregor while he was down. But despite avoiding some serious punches from Holloway, McGregor clearly wasn’t right.
Referee Mike Beltran ultimately called off the fight just seconds into the first round, giving Holloway the victory and ending the UFC 329 co-main event in lackluster fashion.
After the match, McGregor was understandably upset.
“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” he wrote on X at the time. “I had no injuries before the fight. I was kicking, planting and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I’m beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”
Ireland’s Conor McGregor reacts after an injury stoppage during a welterweight bout at UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 11, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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McGregor’s camp even showed pre-fight footage from the locker room, where the two-division champion was seen rehearsing his jumping roundhouse kicks. He landed perfectly well.
McGregor’s UFC career record now stands at 22-7 after that TKO finish, but it appears the 38-year-old is still ready to recover and return to the octagon. He doesn’t want to end his fighting career this way.
