Conor McGregor suffered a devastating knee injury just 69 seconds into his UFC 329 return against Max Holloway, and the diagnosis behind the injury update has left the Irish star’s comeback in doubt. Fighting for the first time in more than five years, McGregor buckled his right leg on the opening exchange in Las Vegas, handing Holloway a first-round win and reviving painful echoes of the pair’s first meeting.
Find out what we know about the knee, his recovery, and his payday here.
What Happened to McGregor During the Holloway Fight?
McGregor charged across the octagon and launched a flying kick in the opening seconds, then landed awkwardly on his right knee and dropped to the canvas. He tried to push forward but went down twice more before referee Mike Beltran waved the bout off at 1:09 of the first round, according to CBS Sports. Holloway said he had begged Beltran to stop it once McGregor was clearly hurt, but the former champion kept shouting to keep fighting.
Conor McGregor is walking with a limp after his apparent leg injury. pic.twitter.com/vdEAQ4GFLu
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2026
The moment carried a cruel echo. McGregor tore his ACL against Holloway in their 2013 debut clash, gutted out three rounds, and still won by unanimous decision. Thirteen years later, the same body part gave out against the same man, only this time it ended everything.
How Is McGregor’s Injury Now?
No official diagnosis has been released, though the early read is bleak. UFC President Dana White told reporters that doctors suspect a blown ACL, the same conclusion he drew watching it live, per NBC News. In a statement of his own, McGregor said he had felt no problems in camp and was blindsided.
“This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell,” he wrote.
I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2026
Days shy of his 38th birthday and fighting for the first time since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, McGregor now faces questions about whether his career can survive a third straight loss and another major injury.
How Much Money Did McGregor Get From the Holloway Fight?
The payday softened the blow. McGregor was reportedly guaranteed a base purse of at least $15 million for the fight, with his total take-home potentially climbing toward $30 million once pay-per-view revenue and bonuses were added, according to Forbes. Holloway, meanwhile, was reported to earn a guaranteed $3 million, a figure that still ranked among the biggest paydays of his career.
