Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the octagon ended in devastating fashion at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, with the Irish fighter suffering a catastrophic knee injury just two seconds into his bout against Max Holloway.
The 37-year-old, competing for the first time since breaking his left leg five years ago, attempted a jumping roundhouse kick at the opening bell but landed awkwardly, immediately blowing out his right knee.
Referee Mike Beltran halted proceedings at the 69-second mark after witnessing McGregor struggle to remain upright, resulting in a first-round TKO defeat that left the former two-division champion visibly devastated.
UFC president Dana White has resisted calls to urge McGregor into retirement despite acknowledging concerns about whether the Irishman’s body can withstand the physical demands of mixed martial arts.
Conor McGregor suffered a catastrophic knee injury just two seconds into his bout against Max Holloway
|
GETTY
Speaking to The Sun, White explained his philosophy on retirement discussions: “It’s the guys that start saying, ‘I’ve been thinking about retiring’ [who I think should retire].
“And, you know, the minute you start talking or thinking about retiring, you absolutely positively should.”
The veteran promoter confirmed he has not yet heard such sentiments from McGregor, adding: “I haven’t heard that from him yet, but you know, he hasn’t spoken publicly yet. We’ll see what he has to say.”
White also moved to dismiss speculation that McGregor had entered the cage carrying a pre-existing injury, pointing to evidence from the pre-fight faceoff.
“Just on my accounts, the faceoff that day is at 80 million views, right? So if there was a pre-existing injury, somebody would’ve noticed it,” White stated at his post-fight press conference.
Dana White gave his response to questions on Conor McGregor potentially retiring
| YOUTUBE
The UFC chief noted that McGregor showed no signs of impairment during the staredown, adding: “If he was limping, put his shoes on. He ran right at [Max Holloway at the faceoff].”
White also confirmed that medical staff had examined McGregor prior to the contest, stating: “The doctors checked him out before the fight, and he looked damn good.”
McGregor himself addressed the pre-existing injury rumours in a troubling post on X, firmly denying he had entered the fight compromised.
Conor McGregor was a star of UFC in the 2010’s | PA
“I had no injury / injuries going into the fight,” he wrote. “I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight.”
The former champion described the setback as completely unexpected, stating: “This came out of nowhere.”
In a concerning admission about his emotional state following the defeat, McGregor revealed the toll the injury has taken on him: “My head gasket is gone.
“Destroyed. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”
