Conor McGregor may have suffered a heartbreaking setback at UFC 329, but the former two-division champion insists his fighting career is far from over.
McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon ended in disaster on Saturday night when a knee injury forced him out of his main event rematch against Max Holloway just 69 seconds into the fight. The Irish superstar was making his first appearance since 2021, but his comeback unraveled almost immediately after he landed awkwardly while attempting a jumping kick.
Despite the crushing disappointment, Conor McGregor remains determined to recover and compete again.
In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, McGregor revealed that surgery is next on the agenda before he begins rehabilitation and prepares for one final UFC appearance.
“All things work out for my good,” McGregor wrote.”All things are possible for me because I am a believer.Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract.”
The exact nature of the injury has not been officially confirmed, although UFC President Dana White suggested it could be a torn ACL.
“Five years off in this sport is rough,” White said after the event.”We’re assuming a blown ACL. That’s what I assumed when I saw it and that’s what the doctors think too.”
The injury marked another devastating chapter in Conor McGregor’s turbulent comeback journey. The 38-year-old had not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
His planned return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024 also fell apart after he suffered a broken toe during training camp. Outside the cage, McGregor has faced several challenges, including legal battles, business ventures, and an unsuccessful attempt to enter Irish politics.
“My faith is unconditional and I am thankful I get to prove it,” McGregor wrote.”My lifestyle changes are permanent and not just until. I am thankful I get to prove it.I am in Sin City and remain completely devoid of all sin. I will not open that door nor crack its seal. I am already back to collecting wins. In Jesus’ name I pray.”
“I am a child of God. I am a friend of God. God makes a way for me where there seems to be no way.I am not a victim of my circumstances, I overcome them. God is at work in me to will and to work His good pleasure.All things work out for my good. All things are possible for me because I am a believer.I trust in You Lord. Show me Your way. Thank You God,”
Questions quickly surfaced after the fight about whether Conor McGregor entered UFC 329 carrying a pre-existing injury. Both McGregor and his longtime coach, John Kavanagh, strongly rejected that suggestion.
“That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warm-up. Never an issue,” Kavanagh wrote on Facebook.”Knee went when he threw the very first kick. Doesn’t get any worse than this.”
For now, however, Conor McGregor faces another long road to recovery. There is no timeline for his return, and the upcoming surgery could delay plans to complete the final fight on his UFC contract.
