McGregor confirms ACL and meniscus tear after UFC 329 loss to Holloway

McGregor confirms ACL and meniscus tear after UFC 329 loss to Holloway

Conor McGregor disclosed that he tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee during his UFC 329 bout against Max Holloway, leading to a first-round doctor stoppage. AP News reported the fight ended in the first round when officials observed a knee injury that appeared to be an ACL tear. The New York Post added that the injury occurred within the first minute of the bout. John Kavanagh told ESPN that McGregor’s right knee had never been a problem before the fight, and Dana White said no sign of a pre-existing issue. Commentator Joe Rogan, citing the opening-round jumping roundhouse kick, suggested the move may have caused the suspected ACL tear. Later, McGregor told Fox News that he would undergo surgery and intended to fulfill the final fight of his UFC contract. Yahoo Sports reported the same plan and noted his aim to complete the contract before considering free agency.

Retired veteran Matt Brown, speaking to MMA Fighting, attributed the injury to nerves and the lack of a tune-up fight, while former fighter Din Thomas said McGregor appeared to quit soon after the knee gave out, according to MMA Junkie. Yahoo Sports released video showing McGregor visiting a Newport Beach pain-management clinic weeks before the bout. McGregor said to MMA Junkie that he would receive MRI results and asked that the UFC 329 decision be changed to a no-contest with bet refunds, a request echoed by The Independent. Israel Adesanya, cited by MMA Junkie, noted that McGregor seemed reluctant to put weight on his right leg before the fight, prompting speculation of a pre-existing issue. McGregor denied the claim in an interview with MMA Fighting and also refuted allegations of substance use in Bleacher Report. UFC president Dana White told MMA Fighting that scheduling a rematch with Holloway could not be discussed until McGregor completes surgery and rehabilitation, a point reiterated in statements to MMA Mania. White later confirmed to Bleacher Report and CBS Sports that McGregor suffered a torn ACL and meniscus, will undergo surgery, and expects to return to competition by the following summer.

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Conor McGregor Max Holloway Dana White Joe Rogan UFC

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Articles

July 20, 2026
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McGregor discloses ACL and meniscus tear sustained in UFC 329 loss to Holloway
McGregor discloses ACL and meniscus tear sustained in UFC 329 loss to Holloway

Fox News • 20 Jul 02:35

Conor McGregor confirmed that an ACL and meniscus injury to his right knee forced a first-round stoppage in his July 11 bout against Max Holloway, and said he expects to return by next summer.

Credibility 57% Manip. 12% Center
July 19, 2026
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McGregor Discloses ACL and Meniscus Tear After UFC 329 Loss
McGregor Discloses ACL and Meniscus Tear After UFC 329 Loss

New York Post • 19 Jul 21:35

Conor McGregor confirmed he suffered tears to his ACL and meniscus in his right knee during his defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 329, and said he expects to return by next summer.

Credibility 68% Manip. 25% Center
Conor McGregor says ACL and meniscus tear at UFC 329, aims to return by next summer
Conor McGregor says ACL and meniscus tear at UFC 329, aims to return by next summer

CBS Sports • 19 Jul 16:23

The former two-division UFC champion disclosed that he tore his ACL and meniscus during his bout with Max Holloway and expects to be back in competition by the following summer.

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UFC chief says Conor McGregor will undergo knee surgery after 69-second loss
UFC chief says Conor McGregor will undergo knee surgery after 69-second loss

Yahoo Sports • 19 Jul 15:59

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Conor McGregor suffered an ACL and meniscus injury in his right knee at UFC 329 and will require surgery and rehabilitation before any discussion of a future fight.

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UFC President Says Conor McGregor Requires Knee Surgery After ACL Tear
UFC President Says Conor McGregor Requires Knee Surgery After ACL Tear

Bleacher Report • 19 Jul 15:57

Conor McGregor confirmed he tore his ACL in the UFC 329 bout with Max Holloway and will undergo surgery and rehabilitation before any future competition.

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UFC President Says Conor McGregor Requires Knee Surgery After ACL Tear
UFC President Says Conor McGregor Requires Knee Surgery After ACL Tear

Bleacher Report • 19 Jul 14:26

Conor McGregor confirmed he tore his ACL in the UFC 329 bout with Max Holloway and will undergo surgery and rehabilitation before any future competition.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center
UFC President Confirms Conor McGregor Sustained ACL Injury at UFC 329
UFC President Confirms Conor McGregor Sustained ACL Injury at UFC 329

Bleacher Report • 19 Jul 14:26

Dana White said McGregor suffered a torn ACL in his loss to Max Holloway and will require surgery and rehabilitation before returning to competition.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
July 18, 2026
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UFC chief says Conor McGregor's next fight remains uncertain after injury
UFC chief says Conor McGregor's next fight remains uncertain after injury

MMA Mania • 18 Jul 12:56

UFC CEO Dana White said the organization will not discuss a potential trilogy bout with Max Holloway until Conor McGregor completes knee surgery and rehabilitation.

Credibility 58% Manip. 35% Center
July 17, 2026
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UFC chief says Conor McGregor's desired bout with Max Holloway remains uncertain
UFC chief says Conor McGregor's desired bout with Max Holloway remains uncertain

MMA Fighting • 17 Jul 22:30

UFC president Dana White said scheduling a fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway cannot be planned until McGregor completes knee surgery and recovery, noting the timing for both fighters is unpredictable.

Credibility 68% Manip. 12% Center
McGregor Refutes Claims of Substance Use Ahead of UFC 329 Defeat
McGregor Refutes Claims of Substance Use Ahead of UFC 329 Defeat

Bleacher Report • 17 Jul 16:28

Conor McGregor denied using any mind-altering substances before his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329 and said a leg injury sustained in the bout will require surgery.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
McGregor denies pre-existing knee injury claim and says he will seek rematch with Holloway
McGregor denies pre-existing knee injury claim and says he will seek rematch with Holloway

MMA Fighting • 17 Jul 16:00

Conor McGregor rejected speculation that he entered UFC 329 with a pre-existing knee problem, said he was fit, and indicated he wants a future bout with Max Holloway after recovering from surgery.

Credibility 68% Manip. 9% Center
July 16, 2026
5 total
McGregor seeks medical update and calls for no-contest ruling after TKO loss to Holloway
McGregor seeks medical update and calls for no-contest ruling after TKO loss to Holloway

Yahoo Sports • 16 Jul 19:17

Conor McGregor said he will receive scan results on his injured leg and argued the UFC 329 bout should be declared a no-contest, though rules do not currently allow it.

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Adesanya suggests McGregor may have entered UFC 329 with a pre-existing knee issue
Adesanya suggests McGregor may have entered UFC 329 with a pre-existing knee issue

MMA Junkie • 16 Jul 13:04

Israel Adesanya observed that Conor McGregor appeared to avoid putting weight on his right leg before his bout with Max Holloway, raising questions about when the knee injury occurred.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
McGregor seeks no-contest ruling for UFC 329 loss after knee injury
McGregor seeks no-contest ruling for UFC 329 loss after knee injury

MMA Fighting • 16 Jul 12:00

Conor McGregor has asked the UFC to declare his defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 329 a no-contest, citing a knee injury sustained during the bout.

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McGregor asks for no-contest ruling and bet refunds after injury-stop loss to Holloway
McGregor asks for no-contest ruling and bet refunds after injury-stop loss to Holloway

The Independent • 16 Jul 09:01

Conor McGregor requested that his UFC 329 defeat by Max Holloway be declared a no-contest and that all wagers be returned, following a knee injury that halted the fight at 69 seconds.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
McGregor seeks injury scan results and calls for UFC 329 bout to be ruled a no contest
McGregor seeks injury scan results and calls for UFC 329 bout to be ruled a no contest

MMA Junkie • 16 Jul 02:43

Conor McGregor said he will receive MRI results on his knee injury and suggested the UFC 329 decision be changed to a no contest with bets refunded, though officials deem the proposals unlikely.

Credibility 68% Manip. 12% Center
July 15, 2026
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Video shows Conor McGregor visiting pain clinic before UFC 329 injury
Video shows Conor McGregor visiting pain clinic before UFC 329 injury

Yahoo Sports • 15 Jul 14:15

A newly released video shows Conor McGregor entering a Newport Beach pain-management clinic weeks before his UFC 329 bout, where he later suffered a self-inflicted knee injury that ended the fight against Max Holloway.

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July 14, 2026
3 total
Analyst claims Conor McGregor quit early after knee injury at UFC 329
Analyst claims Conor McGregor quit early after knee injury at UFC 329

MMA Junkie • 14 Jul 17:50

Former UFC fighter and commentator Din Thomas said Conor McGregor appeared to stop fighting soon after injuring his knee during his bout with Max Holloway, suggesting the decision was deliberate.

Credibility 72% Manip. 33% Center
Matt Brown says Conor McGregor's knee injury stemmed from nerves and poor matchmaking
Matt Brown says Conor McGregor's knee injury stemmed from nerves and poor matchmaking

MMA Fighting • 14 Jul 13:00

Retired UFC veteran Matt Brown attributes Conor McGregor’s knee injury at UFC 329 to nervousness and a lack of a tune-up fight, and warns the promotion may set him up for a loss if he does not re-sign.

Credibility 67% Manip. 12% Center
Speculation Emerges About Conor McGregor's Knee Injury Before Final UFC Fight
Speculation Emerges About Conor McGregor's Knee Injury Before Final UFC Fight

MMA Fighting • 14 Jul 12:00

A commentator suggested that Conor McGregor may have concealed a knee injury prior to his farewell bout, citing observed signs during the event.

Credibility 27% Manip. 48% Center
July 13, 2026
2 total
Conor McGregor to undergo surgery and fulfill final UFC contract fight
Conor McGregor to undergo surgery and fulfill final UFC contract fight

Yahoo Sports • 13 Jul 16:05

After a 69-second loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329, Conor McGregor announced he will have knee surgery and aims to complete the last bout of his contract before considering free agency.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
McGregor announces surgery and plans to fulfill final contract fight after knee injury
McGregor announces surgery and plans to fulfill final contract fight after knee injury

New York Post • 13 Jul 14:20

Conor McGregor said he will undergo surgery and complete the last bout of his UFC contract following a knee injury that ended his comeback fight against Max Holloway in 69 seconds.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
July 12, 2026
8 total
McGregor's coach says knee was fine before UFC 329 injury
McGregor's coach says knee was fine before UFC 329 injury

New York Post • 12 Jul 22:09

Coach John Kavanagh stated that Conor McGregor's right knee had no prior problems before the fighter was injured during a jump kick at UFC 329, while McGregor confirmed the injury was unexpected.

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Joe Rogan attributes Conor McGregor's ACL injury to a jumping roundhouse kick in UFC 329 loss
Joe Rogan attributes Conor McGregor's ACL injury to a jumping roundhouse kick in UFC 329 loss

Fox News • 12 Jul 20:33

Conor McGregor suffered a suspected ACL tear after attempting a jumping roundhouse kick in the opening round of his UFC 329 bout against Max Holloway, a point highlighted by commentator Joe Rogan.

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McGregor's coach says knee injury was not pre-existing before UFC 329 loss
McGregor's coach says knee injury was not pre-existing before UFC 329 loss

ESPN • 12 Jul 19:19

John Kavanagh said Conor McGregor's right knee had never been a problem before his defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 329, and UFC president Dana White said there was no sign of a pre-existing injury.

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McGregor suffers knee injury minutes into UFC 329 comeback
McGregor suffers knee injury minutes into UFC 329 comeback

New York Post • 12 Jul 14:38

Conor McGregor injured his knee within the first minute of his return bout against Max Holloway at UFC 329, leading to a stoppage and speculation of an ACL tear.

Credibility 68% Manip. 12% Center
McGregor withdraws after knee injury in UFC 329 comeback
McGregor withdraws after knee injury in UFC 329 comeback

AP News • 12 Jul 06:52

Conor McGregor's return bout at UFC 329 ended 1:09 into the first round when a knee injury forced him to stop, with officials suspecting an ACL tear.

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UFC 329: McGregor's Leg Injury Confirmed Not Pre-Existing, Holloway Comments on High Kick
UFC 329: McGregor's Leg Injury Confirmed Not Pre-Existing, Holloway Comments on High Kick

New York Post • 12 Jul 06:04

UFC 329 in Las Vegas saw Conor McGregor sustain a right-leg injury during a flying kick, which officials said was not pre-existing, while Max Holloway noted the kick appeared in slow motion.

Credibility 45% Manip. 25% Center
Conor McGregor withdraws after leg injury in 69-second UFC 329 bout
Conor McGregor withdraws after leg injury in 69-second UFC 329 bout

ESPN • 12 Jul 04:11

Conor McGregor suffered a right-leg injury moments after the opening kick against Max Holloway at UFC 329, leading officials to stop the fight in the first round.

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Conor McGregor defeats by doctor stoppage after knee injury in UFC 329 bout with Max Holloway
Conor McGregor defeats by doctor stoppage after knee injury in UFC 329 bout with Max Holloway

New York Post • 12 Jul 04:08

Conor McGregor suffered a knee injury early in his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway, leading to a doctor-stopped bout. Officials said the injury appeared to be an ACL tear and was not pre-existing.

Credibility 45% Manip. 30% Center