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SportsConor McGregor's comeback ends in 69 seconds with right knee injury
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Conor McGregor's highly anticipated UFC return after five years ended in disaster on July 12, 2026, when he suffered a right knee injury just 69 seconds into the first round of his welterweight fight against Max Holloway. McGregor opened with a flying left roundhouse kick but landed awkwardly, immediately compromising his mobility. Despite attempting two more kicks and punches, it became clear he could not continue. Ringside experts speculated he could be out for up to a year. Holloway, who had moved up to 170 pounds for the fight, expressed disappointment at the anticlimactic ending. A frustrated McGregor left the Octagon without a post-fight interview. In a separate bout, Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett thrilled fans by choking out Benoît Saint Denis via TKO in just 52 seconds.
Source report
The mega comeback was over after just a few seconds. UFC legend Conor McGregor (37) returned to the cage after five years, but his fight against Max Holloway (34/USA) ended after just 1:09 minutes of the first round. The reason was an injury to the Irishman's right knee.
McGregor opened the duel with a flying left roundhouse kick. He landed awkwardly on his right knee. Although he then attempted two more kicks and punches against Holloway, it quickly became clear: the welterweight fight, scheduled for five rounds, could no longer be continued for him.
Injury and Aftermath
How bitter for McGregor! As it appears, he will now be out for up to a year, as the experts at ringside immediately speculated.
To the sounds of Notorious B.I.G.'s classic "Hypnotize" and accompanied by the roaring cheers of the sold-out arena, McGregor walked into the Octagon. Exactly five years and one day after his last fight, he was back in the cage.
"I guess I made his knees weak," Holloway joked after a sudden and stunning end to the fight. "We have to do this again for the guys. I busted my ass to get to 170 pounds for this fight, and to see it end like this – it really sucks."
A totally frustrated McGregor immediately left the Octagon and forewent his post-fight interview to discuss the nature of the injury.
Other Fight Highlights
Just a few hours after his home country England won their World Cup quarterfinal against Norway, Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett thrilled the fans. The underdog blocked a roundhouse kick from Benoît Saint Denis, immediately took him down with a takedown, and applied a front headlock. After just 52 seconds of the first round, Saint Denis was choked unconscious and the fight was ended by TKO.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 Rematch Set for July 2026