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SportsConor McGregor to undergo surgery after knee injury ends UFC 329 return fight
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Conor McGregor will undergo surgery after suffering a knee injury just seconds into his return fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11, 2026. The former two-weight world champion landed awkwardly after attempting a jump kick and signaled to the referee that he could not continue. UFC president Dana White said the injury is assumed to be a blown ACL. McGregor's manager, John Kavanagh, confirmed there was no pre-existing knee injury. Despite the setback, McGregor expressed optimism on Instagram, stating he plans to return for the final fight of his contract. The 37-year-old Irishman has faced multiple injuries and personal issues that have derailed his career in recent years.
Source report
Image: Conor McGregor will have surgery on his injured knee
Conor McGregor will undergo surgery after his return fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 ended prematurely due to a knee injury, but he hopes to fight again.
The former two-weight world champion suffered the injury in the opening moments of his fight with Holloway on Saturday in Las Vegas when he landed awkwardly after attempting a jump kick. McGregor tried to fight on for a few seconds but looked towards the referee to signal he could not continue.
McGregor's Statement
"All things work out for my good! All things are possible for me because I am a believer!" McGregor wrote on Instagram. "Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract. Please God!"
Dana White's Response
Speaking after the fight, UFC president Dana White said: "Five years off in this sport is rough. We're assuming a blown ACL. That's what I assumed when I saw it, and that's what the doctors think, too."
Asked if there may have been an existing injury, White said there were no signs of it at Friday's ceremonial weigh-in. He added that with the millions of social-media views of McGregor rushing Holloway at the weigh-in, someone would have noticed if anyone was injured.
Manager and Fighter Deny Pre-Existing Injury
On Sunday, McGregor's manager, John Kavanagh, said his client did not have a previous knee injury.
"That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warm-up. Never an issue," Kavanagh wrote on Facebook. "Knee went when he [threw] the very first kick. Doesn't get any worse than this."
Following the fight, McGregor also said he had no previous injury. "I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight," McGregor said on X. "I had no injury/injuries going into the fight."
Context
Injuries and issues away from the sport have derailed the 37-year-old Irishman's career. After breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, McGregor had been sidelined for five years before his return at UFC 329.
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Source
SkySports | NewsWestern
Part of this Story
UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 Rematch Set for July 2026