Less than two minutes into the opening round of Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2, the fight was ended abruptly after “The Notorious” picked up a significant injury to his leg.
The fighter had previously not fought since 2021 after breaking his left tibia during UFC 264, and tonight was his long-awaited return. Instead, MMA fans left tonight’s previously solid card with a sour taste in their mouths.
One of the UFC’s all-time greats most likely just had a far-from-storybook ending to his career. However, at the moment, there is no official word on McGregor’s exact injury or what this means for his career.
Here’s the latest on whether or not McGregor will definitively close out his career with his latest injury.
MORE: Full card highlights from McGregor vs. Holloway 2
Will Conor McGregor retire?
At the moment, it is unclear whether or not McGregor will retire from MMA. However, his latest right knee injury did not look good, with Dana White believing the former star severely hurt his ACL.
Here is White discussing the matter after the fight:
According to UFC CEO Dana White, McGregor’s outlook is far from promising. “We’re assuming blown ACL,” White said during the postfight press conference. “The doctors think the same thing too.”
🚨 Dana White’s immediate reaction to Conor McGregor’s injury:
“I was expecting AT LEAST a one round war… We’re assuming blown ACL. The doctor’s think the same thing too.” #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/yQ5AXEumhD
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 12, 2026
Here’s the analysis desk discussing their thoughts on the McGregor injury and what it may mean for his career:
Conor McGregor suffered a right-knee internal injury, per @MeganOlivi pic.twitter.com/sV3eofKivg
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 12, 2026
Is this the end of Conor McGregor after this?
[ #UFC329 | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/xp7qQdMoUm
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 12, 2026
MORE: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 full card recap: Who won every fight?
What is Conor McGregor’s injury?
Holloway defeated McGregor with 3:54 remaining in the first round after the referee was forced to stop the bout. “The Notorious” could not continue due to an apparent knee injury, which the broadcast later shared was “a right internal knee injury.” After throwing just one kick in the opening sequence, McGregor’s right leg awkwardly landed on the canvas. After that, the fighter was unable to put any sort of weight on his right leg and was eventually forced to bow out of his long-awaited return fight.
Here is a look at McGregor’s kick that caused the night-ending injury.
RIGHT ON THE FIRST KICK 😳
Max Holloway gets his hand raised tonight!
[ #UFC329 | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/8Y5MR1wJ4s
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 12, 2026
In the events following the initial blow, McGregor hobbled around the cage, with Holloway even asking the referee to stop the fight because the Irishman was obviously injured. Here’s when McGregor shook his head at the referee and forfeited the fight:
THIS FIGHT IS OVER IN ROUND 1 😳
Max Holloway defeats Conor McGregor!
[ #UFC329 | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/fxSnBev6CM
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 12, 2026
Conor McGregor is walking with a limp after his apparent leg injury. pic.twitter.com/vdEAQ4GFLu
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2026
At the moment, there is no official diagnosis for McGregor’s exact injury. That said, he did weigh in on the situation hours after the fight via Twitter.
My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2026When did Conor McGregor last fight?
Prior to tonight’s UFC 329 fight against Holloway, McGregor’s most recent fight was on July 10, 2021 against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That fight was also stopped after the Irishman gruesomely broke his left leg during the fight.
This knowledge of McGregor’s past injuries makes what happened tonight even more grim. However, tonight’s injury and the one obtained against Poirier happened to different legs.
MORE: Why is Conor McGregor called “The Notorious?”
Conor McGregor injury history
This is not the first time The Notorious has been injured inside the Octagon. Here is McGregor’s injury history:
DateInjuryOpponentTime until next fightAug. 17, 2013Torn ACLMax Holloway11 monthsJuly 10, 2021Broken tibiaDustin Poirier5 yearsJuly 12, 2026TBDMax HollowayTBDConor McGregor age
Conor McGregor is 37 years old. He was born on July 14, 1988, in Dublin, Ireland.
McGregor made his MMA debut at the age of 18 during an amateur fight against Kieran Campbell for the Irish Ring of Truth promotion in Dublin. He won via technical knockout (TKO) in the first round. After the fight, he turned professional and began his upward climb to MMA stardom.