LAS VEGAS (AP) — Conor McGregor’s comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 ended abruptly at just 1:09 into the first round due to a knee injury.
Returning to the octagon for the first time in over five years, McGregor launched a flying left roundhouse kick at the start of the match but landed awkwardly on his right knee.
After attempting a few more strikes against Holloway (28-9-0), it became evident that McGregor (22-7-0) couldn’t continue in the five-round welterweight bout.
“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” McGregor expressed on social media. “I had no injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planting, and jumping throughout training and even backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I’m in a dark place; it’s like hell.”
When asked about a possible pre-existing injury, UFC President Dana White stated there were no indications of one at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in.
“Five years away from this sport is tough,” White commented. “We’re suspecting a blown ACL. That was my initial thought when I saw it, and the doctors seem to agree.”
White also noted that with the millions of views on social media of McGregor charging at Holloway during the weigh-in, any injury would likely have been noticed.
Holloway mentioned that he repeatedly urged referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight once it was clear McGregor was hurt, but McGregor insisted, “Fight!”
“You could see his demeanor change during the fight,” Holloway said. “When I noticed he was injured, I thought, ‘Call this off, he’s hurt.’”
“I just wish him a speedy recovery.”
Holloway was a -300 favorite at Bet MGM Sportsbook, while McGregor was a +240 underdog, meaning a $300 bet on Holloway would yield $100, whereas a $100 bet on McGregor would net $240.
McGregor arrived in the ring to the sounds of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” amid the cheers of a sold-out crowd, marking his last fight exactly five years and a day prior.
The event also featured Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham as a guest ring girl, making her appearance just eight minutes before the main event while donning a black top and sequined shorts, occasionally reenacting her signature finger point move from a recent match against the Phoenix Mercury.
Fans were thrilled when Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett (24-4-0) swiftly defeated Benoit Saint Denis (17-4-0) with a first-round TKO. Pimblett, who closed as a +120 underdog, blocked a roundhouse kick, swiftly executed a D’Arce Choke, and finished the fight in just 52 seconds.
“Light work,” Pimblett declared with a smile at the post-fight conference. “Mother (expletive) got slept.”
In a bantamweight clash, Mario Bautista (18-3-0) secured a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen (18-7-0) by applying pressure throughout the rounds, especially capitalizing on a first-round leg kick and landing a flurry of punches in the third.
In another exciting matchup, Brandon Royval (18-9-0) submitted Lone’er Kavanagh (10-2-0) with a rear-naked choke at the 3:40 mark of the final round in their scheduled three-round flyweight bout.
In a surprising start to the main card, a battered King Green (36-17-0) withstood a beating for nearly the entire first round before landing a right hand onto Terrance McKinney (18-9-0) with about 20 seconds remaining, ultimately sealing a TKO at 4:59.
