Las Vegas — Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC Octagon ended abruptly Saturday night after just seconds due to what appeared to be a knee injury, according to footage shown during the broadcast. The fight against Max Holloway was the Irish fighter’s first since 2018.
McGregor opened aggressively, attempting a running kick and a head kick early in the bout. Both attempts appeared to cause him to slip. Holloway seized the opportunity, taking top position and landing a right hand before McGregor managed to get back to his feet. Moments later, McGregor hit the canvas again after trying to throw a kick with his right leg, which seemed to buckle underneath him.
The referee waved off the fight shortly afterward, awarding Holloway a technical knockout victory, according to the official Octagon announcement. UFC President Dana White indicated during the broadcast that a replay showed McGregor suffering the injury early in the first round.
The injury was not to the same leg McGregor broke in his 2021 bout with Dustin Poirier, which kept him out of competition for nearly two years. The loss marked McGregor’s first since January 2020, when he defeated Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone by first-round TKO, extending his winless streak in the UFC.
McGregor, who once defeated Holloway in 2013 when both were rising stars, has since become one of the sport’s biggest draws. The fighter has spoken openly about his personal struggles, including issues with fame and substance use, following his multiple championship reigns and high-profile fights. His return to the Octagon was highly anticipated but was cut short by injury, leaving his future in the UFC uncertain.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
