​Conor McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, is utterly distraught by the result of his fighter’s return at UFC 329. The Notorious’ comeback was interrupted almost instantly by a leg injury that appeared to stem from an attempted jumping switch kick. There has been substantial speculation about the nature of the kick and why McGregor chose to throw it so early in the bout. Kavanagh addressed the doubts directly, stating that the move was something he and McGregor had been drilling “daily for months.” In a Facebook post after the fight, he wrote, “Devastated. That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warm-up. Never an issue. The knee gave way when he threw the first kick. It doesn’t get any worse than this. Looking forward to seeing my family in a few days.”
Kavanagh, the head coach of SBG Ireland, McGregor’s home gym, noted that the decision to practice such an unorthodox technique for McGregor’s first return fight after a five-year injury layoff is a topic worthy of discussion. The former two-division UFC champion was renowned for his explosive start to bouts, but at 37, sustaining that level of energy may be beyond his current capabilities inside the octagon.
In the immediate aftermath of the loss, McGregor issued a stark personal assessment, saying, “My head gasket is gone.” He described feeling “beyond dark,” likening the experience to hell. In a subsequent message, he vowed to return, insisting that he had been “so sharp and ready for this fight” and that what had occurred was unimaginable. “I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this…”
McGregor followed up with a lengthy message reasserting his faith, yet fans and commentators did not hold back with their responses. Some offered harsh remarks about the public figure, with one commenter writing, “Jesus walked humbly upon this Earth,” and adding, “You are an arrogant [expletive].” Another criticized the notion of faith and accountability, suggesting misalignment between professed beliefs and behavior, calling the post “Fake Christian.”
The social-media roasts did not end there. Islam Makhachev joined the online chorus, tweeting a jibe that Holloway had bested McGregor—“Conor beat Conor congrats Max,” he wrote—an apparent jab at the Irish fighter’s misfortune rather than his opponent’s success. The exchange underscores the broader online environment in the wake of the defeat, where even allies and rivals alike weighed in with pointed commentary.
On the fighting front, some potential next opponents were floated as McGregor’s career resumes its arc. Welterweight Carlos Prates, who McGregor has suggested could be a possible comeback opponent, posted a blunt warning in an Instagram Story: “If I fight against you I would hurt you bad, bro. Don’t accept the fight against me, McChicken. And have your legacy already; now it’s time for the new generation. And never cut your hair like that again.” Prates remains among the candidates considered for McGregor’s potential final fight of his UFC contract, a bout that could shape the tail end of his competitive chapter.
In sum, the reactions to McGregor’s UFC 329 outcome have been a fusion of professional concern, personal reflection, and social-media fire. Kavanagh’s candid explanation about the drill and the moment’s timing contrasts with McGregor’s own introspection and determination to return. As the veteran star processes the setback, eyes will turn to how he rebuilds, what changes he embraces, and when the next step in his storied career will come to light.