Conor McGregor says he was healthy before a sudden knee injury ended his first UFC fight in five years after only 1 minute and 9 seconds.
“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” McGregor wrote after his UFC 329 rematch with Max Holloway on Saturday. “I had no injury / injuries going into the fight.”
I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2026
The 37-year-old stumbled when his right leg gave way during an early running kick at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. He briefly continued, but another fall and a calf kick from Holloway left him unable to place weight on the leg, and referee Mike Beltran then called the fight.
UFC president Dana White said doctors suspected that McGregor had torn his ACL, though the full extent of the injury had not been confirmed.
Some viewers questioned whether McGregor was hurt before stepping inside the Octagon but he strongly disputed that suggestion, saying he had been “throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight.”
“This came out of nowhere,” he wrote.
CONOR MCGREGOR'S COMEBACK LASTED 69 SECONDS
— BuBBliK (@k1rallik) July 12, 2026
McGregor returned to the UFC after 5 years away and blew out his knee before the fight even really started.
Referee stopped it almost immediately, Max Holloway got the TKO.
– The entire fight lasted 69 seconds
– McGregor threw one… https://t.co/waGOsp1s08 pic.twitter.com/Jeay01J5m0
The stoppage gave Holloway a measure of payback 13 years after losing a decision to McGregor. Still, the Hawaiian fighter did not celebrate for long as boos came from the crowd.
“There was so much hype,” Holloway said before proposing another fight. “We’ll run it back.”
McGregor limped out of the cage without speaking to reporters. In his later messages, he described himself as being “in shock” but made clear that he plans to compete again.
“I will be at church tomorrow,” he wrote. “I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”
