McGregor and Holloway have a tense face-off at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
After more than five years away from the octagon, Conor McGregor returned to the UFC, but the comeback ended in the worst possible way. In the main event of UFC 329 , held last Saturday (11), in Las Vegas (USA), the former featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) and lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) champion suffered a serious knee injury in the opening minutes of the fight against Max Holloway and had his return thwarted. After the event, the Hawaiian revealed that he immediately noticed that his rival was injured and explained why he chose not to go for a more aggressive offensive.
During the press conference, 'The Blessed One' said he alerted the referee as soon as he noticed McGregor could no longer move normally. According to the fighter, the Irishman's physical limitations were evident, which completely changed his approach inside the octagon.
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“I told the judge, ‘He doesn’t want to fight.’ He brought his children to the fight. I wasn’t going to hit an injured dog,” Holloway stated.
The former featherweight champion explained that, upon realizing the seriousness of the injury, he preferred to maintain control of the fight instead of intensifying the pressure. Even while not hiding the provocation directed at McGregor, the Hawaiian fighter indicated that he saw no merit in punishing an opponent who was already physically compromised and simply managed the fight until the stoppage.
The outcome represents another tough chapter in the final stretch of Conor's career. The Irishman was returning to the UFC for the first time since July 2021, when he suffered a serious leg fracture against Dustin Poirier . Surrounded by enormous expectations after a five-year absence, 'The Notorious' once again left the octagon injured, unable to deliver the performance he promised throughout the promotion of UFC 329.
Conor McGregor's injury
ALL ANGLES In depth look at how Conor McGregor injured his leg 👀 #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/x5Xc6FMGer
— Mcgregor Forever (@mcgregorufc22) July 12, 2026
UFC 329 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor by technical knockout (knee injury) at 1:09 of round 1.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Paddy Pimblett defeated Benoit Saint Denis by submission (choke) at 0:52 of round 1.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Brandon Royval defeated Lone'er Kavanagh by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:50 of round 3.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): King Green defeated Terrance McKinney by technical knockout (punches) at 4:59 of round 1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Robert Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov by technical knockout (jaw injury) at 1:01 of round 3.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Gable Stevenson defeated Elisha Ellison by technical knockout (punches and knees) at 2:30 of round 1.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Adrian Yanez defeated Cody Garbrandt by technical knockout (punches) at 2:47 of round 1.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Luke Riley defeated Kai Kamaka III by technical knockout (punches) at 3:02 of round 1.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Wang Cong defeated Tracy Cortez by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Damian Pinas defeated Cesar Almeida by knockout (punches) at 4:44 of round 1.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Farid Basharat defeated John Garza by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Ryan Gandra defeated Zachary Reese by technical knockout (punches) at 1:15 of round 1.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alessandro Costa defeated Cody Durden by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:19.
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