Conor McGregor's long-awaited return to the Octagon ended abruptly Saturday night when he suffered a severe knee injury just 1:09 into the first round of his welterweight bout against Max Holloway at UFC 329.
The Irish star landed awkwardly on his right knee after attempting a flying left roundhouse kick at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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McGregor, 37, was making his first competitive appearance in over five years. He tried to throw two more strikes but could not continue, forcing an immediate stoppage.
The official result updated Holloway's record to 28-9-0 and McGregor's to 22-7-0.
White: 'We're Assuming a Blown ACL'
UFC President Dana White addressed the medical situation right after the main card event concluded.
"Five years off in this sport is rough," White said. "We're assuming a blown ACL.
That's what I assumed when I saw it, and that's what the doctors think, too."
Holloway, who entered the fight as the betting favorite, reflected on the sudden victory.
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"What can I say? I had him weak in the knees I guess," Holloway said inside the Octagon.
The win brings closure to the highly anticipated rematch of their 2013 featherweight bout, which McGregor won by unanimous decision.
"So much hype. We've got to run it back one more time," Holloway added.
"For it to end like this sucks."
Saturday's appearance was McGregor's first walk to the cage since breaking his left leg during a 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier.
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He previously made history as the first UFC fighter to hold simultaneous titles in two weight classes in 2016 and later fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2017 boxing match.
