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.
