Conor McGregor Reveals Farewell to the UFC; Understand

McGregor focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Courtesy of X/UFConParamount

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Conor McGregor announced that his next UFC fight will mark his farewell to the sport. The Irishman returned to the octagon at UFC 329 after a five-year hiatus from his career. However, the fight lasted only a few seconds, as the athlete suffered an injury early in the bout and was forced to abandon the fight.

Despite the setback, McGregor expressed optimism about the progress of his recovery. In a social media post, the former champion revealed that he intends to return only during International Fight Week 2027, scheduled for June, an event that, according to him, will mark his last fight in the UFC.

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"What would have been a generational beating will now be restarted. International Fight Week 2027, last dance," wrote Conor McGregor.

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.

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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

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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.