Conor McGregor shockingly stopped by Max Holloway just 69 seconds into UFC 329 comeback

Jul 12, 2026 - 05:15

Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC ended in just 69 seconds.

McGregor seemingly blew his right knee out with the very first strike he threw in the direction of Max Holloway in their UFC 329 headliner.

Conor McGregor of Ireland strikes Max Holloway in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — McGregor went for a wild kick in the first exchange of the fight

Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts to an injury in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — He collapsed instantly to the canvas after an awkward landing

Conor McGregor of Ireland falls after sustaining an injury on a kick in the first around against Max Holloway of the United States in their welterweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — And the Irishman never recovered slipping several more times on his unsteady leg

What happened on McGregor’s UFC return?

The Irishman leapt at Holloway with a huge jumping roundhouse kick in the first exchange and landed awkwardly on his right leg.

He slipped twice more, and when he got up for the third time referee Mike Beltran waved off the fight.

“Let’s give it up for Conor McGregor,” Holloway told Joe Rogan after his win.

“What an absolute animal. You guys are lucky because there’s gonna be a Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 3.

“What can I say? I guess I had him weak at the knees. We have got to run it back one more time for the boys.”

McGregor, meanwhile, quickly exited the cage and looked devastated backstage.

Of course, it’s an absolute nightmare scenario for the Irishman, considering it was his left leg he injured when he previously fought Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

That injury caused fractures to his tibia and fibula, leading to an emergency surgery and a titanium rod from his knee to his ankle.

The long road back

McGregor was returning to MMA for the first time since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a trilogy bout with retired American star Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

During his time on the sidelines, the Dubliner balanced business ventures with various legal battles, which have left his character severely damaged.

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Conor McGregor of Ireland injures his leg facing Max Holloway in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — McGregor injured his leg with his very first movement on his UFC return

Max Holloway strikes Conor McGregor of Ireland in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — And Holloway took full advantage dropping bombs on the canvas

A close up view of Conor McGregor of Ireland's leg in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — The fight was soon waved off when McGregor was deemed unfit to continue

In November 2024, he lost a High Court civil case for sexual assault against Nikita Hand and was ordered to pay the claimant €250,000 in damages.

McGregor launched an appeal, but it was dismissed in July 2025 after an extensive hearing at the Court of Appeal in Dublin.

Asked during fight week for UFC 329 if he understood why people were uncomfortable with his reintroduction in the limelight due to the civil case outcome, McGregor responded: “I’m an innocent man and I’ll stand for my innocence until the day I go out.

“There is a reason it didn’t go where it went and it went to a civil trial. It is what it is. It stings deep.

“I continue to fight. I know the truth and I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord and I know that anything in the darkness will soon come to light.”

The civil case came just after McGregor was originally scheduled to make his UFC return against Michael Chandler.

Every UFC 329 result

Main card

Paddy Pimblett def. Benoit Saint Denis via first-round submission (d’Arce choke)
Mario Bautista def. Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision
Brandon Royval def. Lone’er Kavanagh via third-round submission (rear naked choke)
King Green def. Terrance McKinney via first-round KO

Prelims

Robert Whittaker def. Nikita Krylov via third-round KO
Gable Steveson def. Elisha Ellison via first-round KO
Adrian Yanez def. Cody Garbrandt via first-round KO
Luke Riley def. Kai Kamaka III via first-round KO

Early prelims

Wang Cong def. Tracey Cortez via unanimous decision
Damian Pinas def. Cesar Almeida via first-round KO
Farid Basharat def. John Garza via unanimous decision
Ryan Gandra def. Zach Reese via first-round KO
Alessandro Costa def. Cody Durden via second-round submission (rear naked choke)

The Irishman was set to fight Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 in June 2024 but withdrew on short notice after injuring his toe while sparring.

UFC CEO White had said ahead of the Las Vegas main event that he had ‘five scenarios’ in mind if McGregor got the job done in Las Vegas, with ‘three for Max.’

McGregor has stated several times his intentions to become the promotion’s first-ever three-division champion by challenging for gold at welterweight before he retires.

However, he might not ever be seen in the UFC again after the result of his comeback against Holloway.

The main event broke the record for the largest gate in UFC history, generating a whopping $25million in ticket sales.

But there’s no doubt fans inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena will be bitterly disappointed at the outcome of the fight.