Conor McGregor shares surgery results after injury at UFC 329.

Conor McGregor after a serious injury at UFC 329. Photo: Paramount Publicity

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Conor McGregor has already taken the first step towards returning to the UFC octagon. The Irishman returned to action in a frustrating way after a five-year hiatus in his career, suffering a knee injury in the first seconds of his fight against Max Holloway , in the main event of UFC 329. Determined to bounce back, the former champion underwent surgery last Tuesday (4).

In a social media post, McGregor stated that the procedure was successful and expressed confidence in his recovery, indicating optimism about his return to the sport.

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"The surgery went excellently! I'm confident," 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.

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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