Conor McGregor got absolutely wrecked at UFC 329 last Saturday, suffering a disastrous right knee injury just 69 seconds into his TKO loss against Max Holloway. While some folks online were questioning McGregor's heart after his five-year layoff, or even his ambitious running kick attempt, one fighter isn't having any of it: the former UFC welterweight king, Kamaru Usman, who knows that kind of injury pain all too well.
Usman Knows That Pain All Too Well
Usman, at 39 years old, totally gets the physical and mental grind McGregor is facing right now. The guy's lived through it himself! He's heading back into the Octagon this Saturday in Oklahoma City, headlining a UFC Fight Night card against former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in a five-round, 185-pound bout. This is a huge return for Usman, his second fight in 33 months, after coming off a 13-month layoff. Think about it: Usman's been through the wringer. He had a torn hand ligament in 2022, double hernia surgery back in 2019, and he's been battling chronic knee issues since microfracture surgery *before* his 2015 UFC debut. The man is tough as nails, but he knows exactly how debilitating these injuries can be, especially when you're 38 like McGregor. That kind of comeback takes a different kind of fighter, doesn't it?Why "The Nigerian Nightmare" Gets It
Usman didn't hold back talking to CBS Sports. He saw all the online backlash after McGregor's injury, the way people were piling on. "It's a tough thing to do," Usman said. He watched the fight, feeling McGregor's spirit backstage, and then boom, that knee gives out. "It's about the worst that could've happened. So, I definitely felt for him because it's a dark place to be." You gotta respect that honesty. Usman's own career proves he knows how to bounce back. He went on an insane run, winning his first 15 UFC bouts between 2015 and 2021, and defended his 170-pound title five times. But even "The Nigerian Nightmare" hit a wall, getting knocked out by Leon Edwards in 2022, which started a three-fight losing streak. Talk about a gut punch! He dug deep though, coming back in June 2025 with a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley. That's the kind of resilience McGregor needs now. Usman truly believes only a fighter of McGregor's caliber can truly grasp the "dark days" ahead. McGregor definitely didn't want this outcome; he wanted to put on a show. This Saturday, Usman steps back into the spotlight against Du Plessis. For McGregor, the recovery journey is just beginning, and Usman thinks the "darkest and most challenging aspects" are still to come. But if anyone knows about fighting through adversity and finding the way back, it's Kamaru Usman. You know we'll be watching to see how he performs, and how McGregor starts his long road to recovery.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.