Conor McGregor's future in jeopardy after devastating UFC return fans dubbed 'embarrassing'

Дата публикации: 13-07-2026 11:36:25

Conor McGregor has a number of options at his feet after suffering an injury in his UFC return on Saturday

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Conor McGregor has a number of options at his feet after suffering an injury in his UFC return on Saturday

Conor McGregor could be approaching ominous territory in his UFC career after his MMA return was ruined by injury.

The Irish superstar, 37, stepped back into the octagon on Saturday for the first time since breaking his ankle against Dustin Poirier five years ago. He faced his ex-rival in Max Holloway, 34, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas - almost 13 years since he defeated the Hawaiian in August 2013.

The former two-weight world champion was unable to replicate the performance he showed in their first bout as the fight was abruptly stopped after just 69 seconds when McGregor appeared to sustain a serious knee injury.

McGregor landed awkwardly on his right knee when attempting to strike Holloway with a left roundhouse kick. He seemed to be impaired as he fell to the canvas when trying to kick his opponent, as referee Mike Beltran ended the clash within the first round.

Speaking in the aftermath of the bout, UFC chief executive Dana White indicated that his star attraction may have suffered a "blown ACL", an injury that typically requires between 6 and 12 months to fully heal. Should McGregor - who celebrates his 38th birthday on Tuesday - need the full year to recuperate, he would be 39 years old by the time he makes yet another comeback to the sport.

White said: "I mean, I was expecting at least a one-round war. Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio, whatever else, after a five-year layoff, and there you go. We're assuming a blown ACL [anterior cruciate ligament]. I'm no doctor, but that's what I figured when I saw it, and doctors think the same thing too."

Supporters and competitors alike weighed in on the startling turn of events, with former UFC fighter Kevin Lee describing the circumstances behind McGregor's injury as "embarrassing". He posted on X: "Bro wtf just happened. That's the most embarrassing thing in the world to happen."

He continued: "I'm laughing but I've done that type of thing myself. After returning from double ACL surgery I blew my knee out jumping into the octagon before the fight started, it's embarrassing, but I get it."

Several supporters speculated that McGregor had sustained the injury while entering the cage after video emerged showing him appearing to avoid putting weight on his right foot after removing his shoe. Nevertheless, he rejected such claims when speaking out on social media following the bout.

He posted: "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."

McGregor has just one bout remaining on his UFC contract, which he suggested was pencilled in for April 2027. Yet another lower leg setback, following his broken ankle in 2021 against Dustin Poirier, has raised questions about whether supporters have witnessed the final appearance of the fighter who transformed the sport's landscape.

Stepping away from MMA altogether is a credible possibility given the fortune he's amassed during his career and his current age. Alternatively, a switch to bare-knuckle boxing remains on the cards for McGregor, who has repeatedly expressed his eagerness to compete in BKFC - the promotion he part-owns.

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