Las Vegas: Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback ends in 69 seconds due to knee injury
McGregor’s Return Cut Short
Conor McGregor’s anticipated return to the octagon at UFC 329 in Las Vegas concluded abruptly, lasting only 69 seconds. The fight against Max Holloway was stopped after McGregor sustained a knee injury. The Irishman’s comeback, his first UFC appearance since a leg injury in 2021, ended with Holloway declared the winner by technical knockout.
In the initial moments of the first round, McGregor attempted high kicks but missed, leading him to the canvas. Although he managed to stand, he appeared unsteady. Referee Mike Beltran halted the contest as McGregor stumbled, deeming him unfit to continue. This outcome marked McGregor’s seventh career defeat and his fourth loss in his last five fights, with only one victory recorded since 2016.
The knee injury seemed to occur when McGregor missed his first roundhouse kick attempt. Holloway avoided a subsequent kick and reportedly noticed his opponent’s injury shortly thereafter. The fight was the most anticipated main event in recent UFC history, but its swift conclusion left many fans with a sense of disappointment.
Holloway’s Bittersweet Victory
For Max Holloway, this victory offered a chance to avenge his earlier defeat by McGregor in 2013. His record now stands at 28 wins in 37 fights. Holloway, a former featherweight champion, was making his debut at welterweight at the T-Mobile Arena. He expressed mixed feelings about the win, stating, “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.”
Holloway also mentioned, “I was looking forward to this. I was working hard to get to 170lb and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks.” Since his UFC debut in 2012, Holloway has become a prominent figure in the sport, known for his high-output striking. His win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 was described by commentator Joe Rogan as a “KO of the century.”
Questions remain about Holloway’s adaptation to the welterweight division. He made his name at featherweight, achieving a 13-fight win streak. While he has performed well at 155lb, the prospect of staying at welterweight could open the door for a trilogy fight with McGregor, though it would require him to overcome further challenges to contend for a title in that division.
Other Notable Bouts at UFC 329
The event also featured other significant matchups. In the co-main event, Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett secured a victory over Benoît Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds with a D’Arce choke submission. This impressive performance earned Pimblett one of the performance bonuses for the night.
Another highlight was the fight between Brandon Royval and Lone’er Kavanagh, which was recognized as the Fight of the Night. Royval won via third-round submission with a rear-naked choke. Other main card results included Mario Bautista defeating Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision and Bobby “King” Green securing a first-round TKO victory over Terrance McKinney.
The event also showcased several preliminary fights, with winners including Robert Whittaker, Gable Steveson, Adrian Yanez, and Luke Riley, all securing TKO victories in their respective bouts. Cong Wang, Damian Pinas, Farid Basharat, Ryan Gandra, and Alessandro Costa also emerged victorious in the early preliminary rounds.
McGregor’s career has been marked by various controversies, including court cases and missed drug tests. He previously accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy, which concluded in March.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
