Conor McGregor is headed for surgery after his UFC return on Sunday lasted just 69 seconds. That's right, 69 seconds back in the Octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329, and boom, a knee injury. It’s a wild start to a comeback everyone was watching, and now it’s another setback for the Irishman.
Injury Strikes Early
The guy barely got started in what was supposed to be his big return. His knee reportedly gave way when he missed his first attempted roundhouse kick right at the beginning of the fight. It's a brutal blow for McGregor, whose last UFC appearance was back in 2021 when he broke his leg fighting Dustin Poirier. You'd think after all that, he'd catch a break, but nope, not this time. He jumped on Instagram right after, saying, "All things work out for my good! All things are possible for me because I am a believer! Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract. Please God!" He's clearly focused on that final contract fight, despite this latest hurdle.Critics Are Swarming
This short comeback isn't doing him any favors with the critics, either. A lot of people are questioning if he even deserves the spotlight anymore, and honestly, can you blame them? He's had a string of controversies recently. We're talking court cases and, yeah, missed drugs tests. Back in November 2024, Nikita Hand won a civil claim against him for damages for assault by rape. And then there's the anti-doping policy violation. He accepted an 18-month ban last year after missing three drugs tests within a 12-month period in 2024. That ban, which was backdated to September 2024, only wrapped up this past March. It's a lot to unpack. Sunday's technical knockout loss to Holloway was his seventh career defeat, and the fourth in his last five fights. It's tough to watch a legend struggle, especially with all this baggage and now another injury. But he's talking about a "final fight of the contract," so it looks like we might see him try to bounce back again, after surgery, of course. Keep an eye out for updates on his recovery.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.