Max Holloway won their UFC 329 rematch after McGregor could not continue just 69 seconds into the opening round.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the UFC ended after just 69 seconds Saturday when an apparent right knee injury left him unable to continue against Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event.
Holloway was awarded a first-round technical knockout at T-Mobile Arena, giving him a victory in the second meeting between two of the UFC’s most recognizable fighters. McGregor had not competed since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The extent of his latest injury had not been officially announced by early Sunday.
McGregor attempted a jumping kick at the start of the welterweight bout but landed awkwardly and immediately appeared to have trouble putting weight on his right leg. He tried to continue, but his movement was badly limited as Holloway followed him to the floor and attacked with punches.
McGregor returned to his feet more than once, but his knee buckled as he tried to move across the octagon. Referee Mike Beltran stopped the contest at 1 minute, 9 seconds after it became clear that McGregor could not defend himself normally or remain standing.
McGregor stayed in his corner while receiving medical attention and later left the octagon with help from members of his team. He did not speak during the post-fight interview. No diagnosis, recovery timetable or decision about his fighting future was immediately released.
Holloway said the injury was not the ending he had wanted after years of discussion about a rematch. He praised McGregor for trying to continue and said he planned to speak with UFC officials about the possibility of a third fight once McGregor’s condition is known.
“So much hype for that,” Holloway said. “We’ve got to run it back one more time. We need one more. For it to end like this, it sucks.”
The result evened the series between the fighters. McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in August 2013, when both were young featherweight prospects. McGregor also injured a knee during that first meeting but completed all three rounds. He later became the first UFC fighter to hold championships in two weight divisions at the same time.
Saturday’s fight had been promoted as a major test of whether the 37-year-old McGregor could compete again after a long and difficult absence. His planned June 2024 return against Michael Chandler was canceled after McGregor broke a toe during training. He also served an 18-month anti-doping suspension for missing three attempts to collect biological samples in 2024. The suspension was backdated and expired in March 2026.
Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion, officially received the victory but had little opportunity to show how the rematch might have unfolded under normal circumstances. Any discussion of a third bout will depend first on medical findings and whether McGregor chooses to begin another rehabilitation process.
UFC officials had not announced McGregor’s diagnosis or Holloway’s next opponent as of Sunday. Further information is expected after McGregor undergoes medical evaluation.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.