McGregor’s Return Cut Short
Conor McGregor‘s anticipated return to the UFC octagon concluded abruptly after just 69 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The fight against Max Holloway was stopped in the first round due to a knee injury sustained by McGregor. This marked his first fight in over five years, with his last appearance being exactly five years and a day prior to Saturday night’s event.
The injury occurred early in the bout when McGregor, 37 years old, attempted a flying left roundhouse kick and landed awkwardly on his right knee. Despite attempting two more kicks and strikes against Holloway, it became evident that McGregor could not continue the scheduled five-round welterweight contest. UFC President Dana White commented on the injury, stating, “We’re assuming a blown ACL. That’s what I assumed when I saw it, and that’s what the doctors think, too.”
McGregor had not competed since suffering a broken left leg in a 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier. That previous injury also occurred in Las Vegas. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan speculated that McGregor might have torn his ACL upon landing from his initial move. Replays of the event also highlighted McGregor’s left leg, the same one broken five years ago, appearing to buckle before he entered the Octagon during his ring walk, raising concerns about a pre-existing injury.
The Rematch and Its Aftermath
The bout was a rematch of a 2013 featherweight fight, which McGregor won by unanimous decision. Holloway, who was the favorite in this recent encounter, expressed disappointment with the outcome. “We’ve got to run it back one more time,” he said. “For it to end like this sucks.” Holloway had moved up to welterweight for this fight, having previously held the featherweight championship.
McGregor, who entered the arena to the sounds of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” and the cheers of a sold-out crowd at T-Mobile Arena, was booed as he departed. This reaction occurred despite Holloway’s efforts to encourage the Las Vegas audience to show appreciation for the Irish fighter. White acknowledged the challenge of returning to the sport after a significant break, noting, “Five years off in this sport is rough.”
This latest injury adds to a series of setbacks for McGregor. A planned return in 2023 against Michael Chandler was cancelled two weeks before the fight due to a broken toe. Before his 2021 injury, McGregor was a prominent figure in the UFC, becoming the first fighter to simultaneously hold two titles in different weight classes in 2016. He also reportedly earned a substantial sum for a boxing superfight against Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2017.
McGregor’s last victory in the UFC was a 40-second triumph over Donald Cerrone in January 2020. His career timeline includes becoming the UFC featherweight champion after winning seven consecutive fights, and later making history by winning the lightweight title after three more fights, thus becoming the first simultaneous double champion. His first UFC fight in April 2013 saw him secure a first-round knockout against Marcus Brimage, earning him his first “Knockout of the Night” award.
Other Fights on the Card
Earlier on the same night, England’s Paddy Pimblett secured a victory by submission against France’s Benoit Saint Denis in a lightweight bout, which concluded in just 52 seconds. This co-main event also took place in Las Vegas, preceding the highly anticipated McGregor versus Holloway fight.
The initial encounter between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway occurred almost 13 years ago at a UFC Fight Night event in Boston, where McGregor secured a unanimous decision victory.
Holloway, known for his striking ability, has a record of 12 knockout finishes and holds two lightweight records for his striking output. He recently held the BMF title, winning it with a knockout against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, before losing it by unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. If Holloway had secured his 24th UFC win against McGregor, he would have moved into joint-third for the most all-time victories.
McGregor’s career has also seen significant rivalries, including one with Khabib Nurmagomedov, which culminated at UFC 229 in October 2018, where Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in the fourth round.
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Source: theguardian.com
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”