Conor McGregor to Undergo Surgery Following Injury in UFC 329
Conor McGregor is set to undergo surgery after a knee injury forced an abrupt end to his anticipated return fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329. The former two-division world champion suffered the injury on Sunday when he awkwardly landed after attempting a flying kick at the start of the match in Las Vegas.
Although McGregor attempted to continue fighting, he ultimately signaled to the referee that he could not proceed. His swift exit from the octagon has sparked concern among fans and analysts regarding his future in the sport.
McGregor Remains Optimistic Despite Setback
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, McGregor remains determined. He shared a message on Instagram expressing his belief in a positive outcome. “Everything will work out for me! Everything is possible because I’m a believer! Surgery. Preparation. Return to martial arts practice. I’ll go again. Final match of the contract. God, please!” he wrote.
UFC President Comments on McGregor’s Injury
UFC President Dana White addressed the situation shortly after the fight. He indicated his concern, speculating that it could be an ACL injury. “Five years off in this sport is tough,” he said, acknowledging the challenges McGregor faces upon his return.
White noted that there were no signs of an injury during McGregor’s ceremonial weigh-in just days earlier, stating, “I’m assuming it’s an ACL injury. That’s what the doctors thought too.” He highlighted the visibility of McGregor’s activities leading up to the fight, suggesting any pre-existing condition would have likely been noticed.
Manager Disputes Claims of Prior Injuries
McGregor’s manager, John Kavanagh, reiterated that the fighter did not have any previous knee issues. On Facebook, Kavanagh detailed that McGregor had practiced the kick multiple times without encountering any problems. “My knee hurt when he took the first kick. It couldn’t have been worse,” he elaborated, reinforcing his belief in McGregor’s fitness prior to the fight.
McGregor Denies Previous Injuries and Considers Future Plans
Post-fight, McGregor echoed Kavanagh’s sentiments, stating he was injury-free during training and leading up to the match. “In camp and backstage before the fight, I was throwing kicks, planting kicks, jumping,” he reiterated, affirming that he had encountered no injuries during the match itself.
The 37-year-old fighter has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Following a serious foot injury against Dustin Poirier five years ago, McGregor was set to fight Michael Chandler in June 2024, but that bout was canceled due to a broken toe sustained in practice. In addition, legal issues in the past have further complicated his career path.
A Tumultuous Journey in the Octagon
In late 2025, a jury found McGregor liable for a previous incident involving allegations of assault. More recently, he accepted an 18-month suspension for failing to provide required biological samples per anti-doping regulations. This suspension was retroactive and has since expired. As McGregor prepares for his surgery, his fans eagerly await his next steps in both recovery and potential return to the octagon.
