Conor McGregor suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, just 69 seconds into his comeback fight against Max Holloway. The 38-year-old underwent his fifth career surgery in August 2026 and is expected to be sidelined for approximately one year.
Background on the UFC 329 Injury
McGregor returned to the Octagon after a five-year layoff, facing Holloway in a welterweight rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight ended when McGregor attempted a flying kick with his lead right leg and landed awkwardly, collapsing to the canvas multiple times as he tried to plant his feet.
Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout at the 1 minute and 9 second mark, awarding Holloway a TKO victory. It was McGregor’s third consecutive defeat, dropping his professional record to 22 wins and 7 losses.
Diagnosis and Surgery
McGregor confirmed the diagnosis via social media one week after the fight, revealing he had suffered both an ACL tear and a meniscus tear in his right knee. He noted the injury mirrored one he sustained against Holloway in 2013, but on the opposite leg.
The difference in which leg was injured proved significant. McGregor explained that the 2013 injury affected his back leg, which had less impact on his striking. The 2026 injury compromised his lead leg, making every movement difficult.
He underwent surgery on August 3, 2026, marking the fifth surgical procedure of his career. In a video update, McGregor stated, “Surgery done. Knee repaired. The doubters can keep talking. I didn’t run from the pain. I walked straight into it”.
Recovery Timeline and Expectations
UFC CEO Dana White provided a sober assessment of McGregor’s recovery timeline. Speaking to reporters after a Zuffa Boxing event, White stated plainly, “Conor McGregor’s out for a year”.
White elaborated on the challenges ahead, noting that McGregor would need to complete physical therapy and receive doctor clearance before resuming hard training. He added that McGregor has “a lot of things to figure out in his head, in his life, before he starts thinking about boxing or UFC again”.
McGregor has expressed optimism about returning sooner. He pointed to advances in regenerative medicine and his previous nine-month recovery from the 2013 ACL tear, stating it is “well within my realm to return by next summer”. He also reported early progress, noting he was walking without crutches and could activate his quadriceps under resistance shortly after surgery.Quick Bio: Conor McGregor
Note: McGregor deactivated his Instagram account in November 2025 before returning prior to UFC 329 . He remains active on X (Twitter) under the same handle.
Previous Major Injuries
The UFC 329 injury represents the latest in a series of significant setbacks for McGregor. In 2013, he suffered a complete ACL tear, MCL strain, and meniscus tear during his first fight against Holloway, requiring surgery and a nine-month recovery.
In July 2021, McGregor broke his left tibia and fibula in the closing seconds of the first round against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He later revealed he had entered the fight with multiple stress fractures in his shin. The injury required surgery to insert a titanium rod from his knee to his ankle.
A broken toe forced McGregor to withdraw from a scheduled bout against Michael Chandler in 2024, further extending his absence from competition. He also served an 18-month suspension, backdated to September 2024, due to three drug-test whereabouts failures.
Impact on His Career
McGregor has fought just five times since defeating Eddie Alvarez in November 2016 to win the lightweight championship. Four of those five bouts ended in defeat. His last victory came in January 2020 against Donald Cerrone.
The repeated injuries have taken a visible toll on his mobility and performance. During the UFC 329 bout, McGregor’s knee appeared to give out every time he placed weight on the right leg, a stark contrast to fighters like Carlos Ulberg who have competed effectively despite ACL tears.
McGregor has one fight remaining on his UFC contract and has expressed interest in completing a trilogy with Holloway during International Fight Week in 2027. However, White has cautioned that any return timeline remains contingent on McGregor’s recovery and his ability to regain the motivation that once defined his career.What injury did Conor McGregor suffer at UFC 329?
McGregor tore both his ACL and meniscus in his right knee during his main event bout against Max Holloway on July 11, 2026. The injury occurred just 69 seconds into the fight when he attempted a flying kick and landed awkwardly on the leg.
When did Conor McGregor have surgery?
McGregor underwent his fifth career surgery on August 3, 2026, to repair the ACL and meniscus damage. He announced the procedure on social media, stating the surgery was complete and the knee had been repaired.
How long will Conor McGregor be out of action?
UFC CEO Dana White stated McGregor will be sidelined for approximately one year. McGregor himself expressed optimism about returning by summer 2027, citing advances in regenerative medicine and his previous nine-month recovery from a similar injury in 2013.
What caused the injury at UFC 329?
The injury happened when McGregor attempted a flying switch kick with his lead right leg early in the first round. He collapsed to the canvas multiple times while trying to plant his feet, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the contest at the 1 minute and 9 second mark.
Has Conor McGregor provided any recovery updates?
Yes. McGregor reported he was walking without crutches shortly after surgery and could perform leg extension exercises without issue. He described his mindset as “unstoppable, unbreakable” and stated his intention to complete the final fight on his UFC contract.
