The Irishman suffered a comeback to forget after injuring his leg just seconds into his highly-anticipated rematch with long-time rival Max Holloway04:50, 12 Jul 2026Updated 05:08, 12 Jul 2026Conor McGregor failed in his quest for a successful UFC comeback after suffering a brutal leg injury just seconds into his fight with Max Holloway.‌Holloway was looking to avenge his defeat to the Irishman - 13 years after their initial encounter. The Hawaiian former featherweight champion was merely a kid and an novice in the MMA world at the time, and would go on to suffer a points defeat to the 'Notorious' in Boston.‌But 'Blessed' learned several lessons that night and would go on to become a 145lb champion and a BMF title holder, but an opportunity to get one over McGregor was too good to turn down.‌In order to do so, he had to pile on an extra 15lb - a weight class he is unfamiliar with. The stipulations favoured the Irishman, but on the biggest stage, Holloway got the job done, albeit in the worst way possible.FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageAs McGregor rushed to the centre of the Octagon with his iconic walkout song echoing across the arena, many felt as if something was in the air after Paddy Pimblett's jaw-dropping win over Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event. But just as he made the walk up the steps to the cage, it seemed as if there was a spot of bother in the Irishman's right side, as he was spotted grimacing before performing the 'billi strut'.‌Holloway, unfazed by the occasion, remained ever so locked in. But the fight was over in a heartbeat after McGregor rushed to the centre of the cage and immediately threw an unsuccessful spinning kick, landing rather awkwardly on his right leg - which spelled the beginning of the end for the ex-two-division world champion.The 37-year-old slipped multiple times - with Holloway rather reluctant to engage on the canvas, signalling for the referee to stand the 'Notorious' up. When McGregor finally got back to his feet, something looked off as he hobbled back to his stance before a quick shake of the head forced the referee to step in and wave off a rather underwhelming fight - which only lasted just over 60 seconds.Holloway showed his true colours after the fight, paying his respect to a crestfallen McGregor, but demanded a trilogy with the Irishman after feeling left rather unfulfilled with the win. "Let's give it up for Connor [McGregor], what an absolute animal. You guys are lucky because there is going to be a Holloway v McGregor three now. Let's get that money," he told Joe Rogan after the fight.‌"It is what it is. I'll sit down with the UFC. There was so much hype for that. We have to run it back one more time. We need one more. I was looking forward to this. I was working hard to get to 170 [lbs] and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks."Also on the main card, Brit Lone'er Kavanagh saw his flyweight title hopes take a hit when he was submitted by Brandon Royval in a thrilling clash. Kavanagh dropped the opening session but roared back in the second only for Royval to take his back in the third, eventually forcing Kavanagh to tap to a rear-naked choke.Article continues belowEarlier, Pimblett's teammate Luken Riley moved to 14-0 with an impressive first-round stoppage of Kai Kamaka III. A straight right hand dumped Kamaka on the canvas and although he scrambled back to his feet, the referee waved the fight off after another barrage of blows from the Englishman.King Green opened the main card with a buzzer-beating first round stoppage of Terrance McKinney who had dominated the opening session. Green dropped his rival with seconds remaining and the fight was waved off after a final barrage.