Conor McGregor admits ‘I am beyond dark’ in injury update as statement released after limping out of UFC comeback

Conor McGregor reportedly suffered a right internal knee injury during his defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 329.

McGregor injured himself just seconds into the main event clash and failed to recover, suffering defeat just 69 seconds into his UFC return after five years out.

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The 37-year-old was spotted limping out of Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena after the devastating loss in scary circumstances compared to his previous UFC appearance against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

It has been assumed McGregor was on his way straight to the hospital, although nothing has been confirmed.

Latest on McGregor’s injury

Taking to social media in the aftermath of his defeat, McGregor described his UFC comeback as ‘hell’ while denying he had any preexisting injuries before the fight.

“My head gasket is gone,” McGregor wrote on X.

“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.”

Speaking on the UFC broadcast moments after McGregor hobbled out of the arena, reporter Megan Olivi confirmed the latest on his injury.

“I know that our UFC medical team did offer him crutches; he was not utilising them,” Olivi explained.

“He still had his fight kit on. No shirt or anything, he was hopping out.

“And from what I am told, he has a right internal knee injury. That’s the only detail I have from our medical team.”

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McGregor denied a request for an interview on or off camera as he left the building.

After UFC 329 concluded, the broadcast team has speculated that McGregor may have come into his comeback fight with an injury based on footage of him entering the cage.

Right as he entered the inspection zone, McGregor gingerly took off his shoes — something he also did with great care when taking part in the event’s ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday.

UFC CEO Dana White said at UFC 329’s post-fight press conference that McGregor was checked by doctors in advance and no red flags were raised.

“I was expecting at least a one-round war,” White added before relaying what he had been told by his medical team.

“Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five-year lay-off.

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“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.”

Asked if he would allow McGregor to return should his injury be minor, White responded: “I don’t know.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions right now that will play out over the next few days.”

Holloway: McGregor wanted to keep fighting

Speaking about the shocking end to his fight with McGregor, Holloway revealed to Paramount+ the exact moment he knew it was over.

“Right now, I’m just praying for him, all jokes aside, as a human being,” Holloway explained.

“Even when I was in there, you could see me talking to the ref, [saying], ‘Yo, this guy is done!’ Just let it go.

“The referee was telling me, ‘Thank you for pushing me, because it was a hard spot.’

“Conor’s crazy, he was like, ‘Fight, fight!’ I was like, ‘You’re f***ing crazy, bro.’

“After the first one, he was like, ‘Fight, fight, I’m good,’ and then when he went down the second time, I could just tell.

“His whole demeanour changed; I was like, ‘Just call this fight.'”