Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the UFC at UFC 329 ended in disaster after just 69 seconds, with the Irishman suffering a suspected torn ACL that could keep him sidelined for up to a year. If the diagnosis holds, McGregor will be approaching 40 by the time he could fight again, raising serious questions about his future in the sport.
What happened at UFC 329?
McGregor faced Max Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, marking his first octagon appearance in five years. The fight was stopped by referee Mike Beltran after McGregor landed awkwardly on his right knee while attempting a left roundhouse kick. He tried to continue but wobbled and fell to the canvas, with Holloway gesturing that McGregor was impaired.
UFC chief executive Dana White said after the fight: "I mean, I was expecting at least a one-round war. Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio, whatever else, after a five-year layoff, and there you go. We're assuming a blown ACL. I'm no doctor, but that's what I figured when I saw it, and doctors think the same thing too."
Reaction from fans and fighters
The shocking end to the fight drew widespread criticism. Former UFC star Kevin Lee called it "the most embarrassing thing in the world to happen" on X, adding: "I'm laughing but I've done that type of thing myself. After returning from double ACL surgery I blew my knee out jumping into the octagon before the fight started, it's embarrassing, but I get it."
Some fans speculated that McGregor had injured himself before entering the cage, but the fighter dismissed those theories on social media, writing: "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."
What's next for McGregor?
McGregor has one fight left on his UFC contract, which he claimed was expected to be scheduled for April 2027. However, given his age—he turns 38 on Tuesday—and the lengthy recovery from a torn ACL, retirement is a realistic option. The former two-division champion has not won a fight in over six years, with his last victory coming in 2020 against Donald Cerrone.
Another possibility is a move to bare-knuckle boxing. McGregor co-owns BKFC and has consistently expressed interest in fighting under that banner. However, his immediate focus will be on recovery and assessing his long-term health.
