​The highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway ended in another wave of disappointment at UFC 329. Right from the opening seconds of their main event, the night took a sharp turn when McGregor appeared to suffer a fight-ending leg injury. He wasted no time exiting the cage area, and it became clear he was not done with the venue for the evening. Multiple ESPN cameras followed McGregor as he trudged backstage and then outside the arena, still barefoot, shirtless, and wearing his fight shorts as he made his way away from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The exact nature of the injury remained undisclosed at first, but UFC reporter Megan Olivi, speaking on the Paramount+ broadcast, confirmed that it was his right knee that gave out. Olivi also noted that McGregor declined the crutches that were offered to him before he left the arena, signaling his determination to move under his own power despite the setback.
McGregor, now 37, had not stepped into the ring since a July 2021 left leg break that occurred during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. The UFC 329 event itself had been a record-breaking night in terms of gate revenue, with Dana White later stating that it represented the largest live gate in the history of the promotion. Yet the night concluded after only 69 seconds, leaving a bitter aftertaste for fans who had anticipated a dramatic ascent for Holloway or a dramatic comeback for McGregor.
Looking ahead, McGregor’s path remains uncertain. The extent of the injury and the required recovery time cast doubt on whether he will return quickly. He reportedly has one remaining UFC contract bout, and there had been talk that the promotion hoped that final appearance would come in April. Whether that plan holds will depend on the severity of the knee injury, the pace of McGregor’s rehabilitation, and the UFC’s scheduling needs in the months ahead.
This recap reflects the events as reported and compiled from coverage surrounding UFC 329. The moment underscored the ongoing unpredictability of McGregor’s tenure in the sport and left fans to wonder what, if anything, lies ahead for the former two-division champion.