Dana White has a hunch about Conor McGregor 's return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon. The Irishman returned to action in the main event of UFC 329 after five years of inactivity, but his participation was short-lived. In the first few seconds of the fight, the former champion suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the bout.
In a press conference following a Zuffa Boxing event, Dana White stated that he doesn't have a concrete timeline for the fighter's return. The executive also revealed that he spoke with McGregor via video call ringside and indicated that the Irishman is likely to remain sidelined for about a year.
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“I have no idea. We had him on FaceTime tonight, ringside, but, you know, Conor McGregor is out for a year,” said Dana White.
How did Conor McGregor get injured against Max Holloway?
Conor McGregor suffered a knee injury in the opening seconds of his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329. Urged on by the crowd, the Irishman attempted to surprise his opponent with a flying kick as soon as referee Marc Goddard signaled the start of the fight, but he slipped on landing and felt the impact on his knee.
Despite the pain, the former UFC champion still tried to continue the fight and attempted another high kick, which was blocked by the Hawaiian. Shortly after, the referee noticed that McGregor was having difficulty walking and decided to stop the fight, awarding Holloway the victory by medical stoppage.
The kick that led to the ending 😢 😭 #UFC329
It just wasn't meant to be for Conor McGregor ... pic.twitter.com/wXEdPnH19t
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 12, 2026
What injury did Conor McGregor suffer at UFC 329?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most frequent orthopedic injuries, especially among athletes. Responsible for stabilizing the knee, the ligament prevents excessive displacement of the tibia relative to the femur and helps control the rotational movements of the joint.
In most cases, the injury occurs without direct contact, being caused by sudden movements, such as:
- Sudden changes of direction with one foot firmly on the ground;
- Rapid decelerations;
- Improper landings after jumps (as in McGregor's case);
- Hyperextension of the knee;
- At the moment of the rupture, it is common to hear a popping sound, followed by intense pain, rapid swelling, and a feeling of instability, as if the knee were giving way.
Treatment varies according to the severity and profile of the injured person: it can be conservative, with physiotherapy focused on muscle strengthening, or surgical, indicated mainly for athletes, with ligament reconstruction through grafting. Complete recovery, in surgical cases, can take between nine and twelve months.
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