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Conor McGregor has finally revealed what exactly happened to his right knee during a very brief return to the UFC Octagon on July 11 in Las Vegas.
McGregor, who lost by technical knockout to Max Holloway at UFC 329, called it “pretty shocking” to learn what he injured during UFC 329.
“Update: it was acl and meniscus,” McGregor wrote on X.
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Conor McGregor of Ireland prepares to face Max Holloway in a welterweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on July 11, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“It’s the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking.”
McGregor previously fought Holloway 13 years ago before gaining worldwide stardom for his mixed martial arts. It’s a total coincidence that this happened now over a decade later, but McGregor is once again trying to maintain a positive mindset.
“With today’s advances in regenerative medicine and improved training methods, it is well within my realm to return next summer,” McGregor continued confidently. “I walk without crutches. I did leg extension machine work the other day with no problems. So I can walk without assistance and activate my quad under resistance. All very positive. I am maximum discipline and have maintained it fully since the fight.
JOE ROGAN ADVISES ‘SHOOT’ KICK ATTEMPT BY CONOR MCGREGOR THAT LEADED TO INJURY: ‘YOU DON’T’
“I wonder if I was saved from something worse here. I think so. I would have attended the after party as ‘the man’ and then who knows. I guess I was saved. Thank God! We go, no sad stories. Thanks for the support and wish everyone well, your health is your wealth.”
It wasn’t much of a fight as McGregor attempted a leaping roundhouse kick on Holloway. When McGregor landed on the canvas, he immediately grabbed his right knee and hit the deck.
Conor McGregor kicks Max Holloway in a welterweight bout at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. (John Locher/AP)
Holloway took advantage of the situation and tried to get McGregor while he was down. But despite avoiding some serious punches from Holloway, McGregor was clearly wrong.
Referee Mike Beltran eventually called the fight just seconds into the first round, handing Holloway the win and ending the UFC 329 co-main event in lackluster fashion.
After the fight, McGregor was understandably upset.
“My head gasket is gone. Ruined,” he wrote on X at the time. “I had no injuries/injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planting and jumping, all the way through camp as well as backstage before the fight. It came out of nowhere. I’m out of the dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”
Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts after an injury stoppage in a welterweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on July 11, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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McGregor’s camp even showed pre-fight footage from the locker room where the two-division champion was seen practicing his jumping roundhouse kicks. He landed just fine.
McGregor’s UFC career record now stands at 22-7 after this TKO finish, but it appears the 38-year-old is still ready to recover and get back into the octagon. He doesn’t want to end his fighting career that way.
