Conor McGregor to undergo surgery after UFC 329 injury, plans future return

By Daniel Foster — 13 July 2026 — 4 min read

McGregor’s Return Cut Short at UFC 329

Conor McGregor’s anticipated return to the UFC octagon at UFC 329 concluded abruptly, lasting only 69 seconds. His fight against Max Holloway ended when McGregor sustained an injury to his right leg, leading to the fight’s stoppage. The incident has prompted discussions regarding his health and his standing within the sport.

During the bout, McGregor attempted a series of jumping head kicks, which resulted in him tumbling to the mat on two occasions. Following a third stumble, he was unable to continue due to the leg injury. The immediate aftermath was marked by confusion and questions about whether he had entered the fight with a pre-existing injury.

McGregor later stated on social media that he had no injuries prior to the fight, posting, “I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere.”

Details of the Injury and Reactions

UFC CEO Dana White initially speculated that McGregor might have torn his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, though he noted that a proper examination had not yet occurred. White also shared a video of McGregor warming up backstage, showing him performing similar kicks without any apparent discomfort.

The timing of injuries in combat sports is a sensitive topic, particularly due to potential impacts on betting lines and event integrity. McGregor had previously shown no signs of concern regarding his legs in the days leading up to UFC 329, despite having broken his left leg in a 2021 fight against Dustin Poirier.

Slow-motion footage from Paramount+, the official broadcast partner of the UFC, showed McGregor looking at his right leg and bouncing gingerly on his toes while attempting to remove his walkout shoe. However, it was not definitively clear if this indicated an injury at that moment.

Once in the cage, Holloway observed that McGregor did not seem like his usual self, noting a calmer demeanor than expected. As the fight began, McGregor lunged with a leaping left kick, landing awkwardly on his right foot and stumbling. He quickly recovered but fell again after another left head kick, with his right leg failing to stabilize him.

Approximately a minute into the fight, Holloway pointed to McGregor’s leg, prompting referee Mike Beltran to intervene after McGregor clutched his knee in pain. Holloway commented, “He grabbed his leg and screamed. I was telling the ref, ‘Come on, bro. What do you want me to do?’ I ain’t trying to beat up a wounded dog.”

McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, refuted claims of a pre-existing injury, stating on Facebook that the opening jump switch kick was practiced daily without issue and that the knee injury occurred with the very first kick thrown.

Post-Fight Developments and Future Plans

Following the fight, McGregor left the T-Mobile Arena without speaking to the media or participating in the post-fight interview. Videos later showed him walking with a limp. The UFC confirmed that he would not be answering questions from reporters.

On Monday, McGregor announced his intention to undergo surgery for his injured knee, though he did not specify the exact nature of the injury. Despite this setback, he has stated plans to fight again.

The incident at UFC 329 also drew comments from musician Machine Gun Kelly, who continued a public feud with McGregor that reportedly began at the VMA’s red carpet in 2021. Machine Gun Kelly made several remarks on Instagram following McGregor’s injury.

McGregor’s return to the octagon was seen as an effort to refocus attention on his fighting career after a decade marked by various events. He had previously called off a fight in 2024 due to a broken pinkie toe.

As the wait for MRI results and further clarity on the injury continues, questions persist among fans regarding the circumstances surrounding the main event at UFC 329. McGregor expressed his shock at what transpired, stating, “I was so sharp and so ready for this fight. I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place.”

Source: yahoo.com