Conor McGregor has described himself as being 'in hell' after his long-awaited return to the UFC ended in disaster at UFC 329 on Saturday night. The Irish fighter suffered a serious leg injury just seconds into his bout with Max Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
How the fight unfolded
McGregor, 37, came out aggressively with two high kicks but missed both and fell to the canvas. Although he got back to his feet, he appeared unsteady, prompting referee Mike Beltran to wave off the contest. The fight lasted only 69 seconds, marking a devastating end to McGregor's first appearance since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
McGregor's emotional response
In a statement on X, McGregor wrote: 'My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.' He categorically denied suggestions he was already injured before the fight.
Dana White's update
At the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White said: 'Five years off in this sport is rough. I was expecting at least a one-round war or who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five year layoff. There you go.' White added: 'We’re assuming blown ACL. I’m no doctor but that’s what I figured when I saw it and the doctors think the same thing, too.'
Holloway calls for trilogy
Max Holloway, who defeated McGregor, called for a third fight between the two. 'You guys are lucky because there is going to be a Holloway v McGregor 3 now. It is what it is. I'll sit down with the UFC. There was so much hype for that. We have to run it back one more time. We need one more,' he said. 'I was looking forward to this. I was working hard to get to 170lb and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks.'
What's next for McGregor?
McGregor refused crutches as he limped out of the arena, but questions about his future in the sport are now paramount. With a potential blown ACL, another lengthy recovery period could be ahead for the former two-division champion.
