Conor McGregor’s long-awaited comeback lasted barely a minute, as the Irishman was forced to end his welterweight clash with Max Holloway at UFC 329 after appearing to blow out his knee.
The result brings a thoroughly deflating end to a five-year comeback that had been billed as one of the biggest events in UFC history – and will fuel fresh questions over whether the Irishman’s body can hold up at the top level.
It was over as quickly as it began. McGregor threw an early scissor kick that missed the target – and appeared to injure his knee in the process. He was left on the canvas, gingerly getting back to his feet.
Moments later he tried the same kick again, with the same result, crumpling back down. Once he’d hauled himself upright for a second time, McGregor turned to referee Herb Dean and waved the fight off himself.
There was no dramatic finish, no signature knockout blow from Holloway – just a sobering scene as McGregor’s team rushed to his side.
McGregor’s return had been five years in the making. His last appearance in the Octagon ended in gruesome fashion at UFC 264, when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier that required emergency surgery and a lengthy road back.
Saturday’s result – a fresh injury sustained on the very first kick of his comeback – will raise immediate and painful questions about whether McGregor’s body can hold up at UFC level again.
More to follow.
