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 05:36, 12 Jul 2026Conor McGregor's comeback fight lasted mere seconds as the Irishman suffer another devastating injury.‌McGregor was returning to action five years after his last fight in which he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier as he took on Max Holloway in a rematch of their 2013 clash. But the Irishman lasted just 69 seconds as he landed awkwardly on his right leg and was unable to continue.‌McGregor was booed as he was treated but Holloway backed his rival. "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. 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."‌‌As 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."While Holloway called for a third meeting with the 'Notorious' - if the Irishman had suffered an ACL tear or another brutal leg injury - it could be well over a year before he is back training again. With the Dubliner turning 38 in a few days, many are wondering if they have seen the last of the UFC icon in the Octagon.‌In the co-main event, Pimblett put the lightweight division on notice after choking out Saint-Denis just seconds into their contest. The French scrapper threw a failed leg kick just moments after the first bell had sounded, and was made to pay, after Pimblett caught his foe in a choke before forcing 'God of War' to tap out.And the Liverpudlian wasted no time in calling out a wide range of names, including Ilia Topuria. "Sub of the year! I knew he was out. I had to say to the ref 'he's not conscious' and he had to check him. I told everyone all week, try to grab my legs and I will choke him unconscious," he said after the fight.‌"I'm like a spider. When I've got hold of you, you don't get out and it's as simple as that. Everyone counted me out. Everyone said I was finished because I lost to Gaethje but what now? Am I finished? Who wants it next? I'll beat Ilia [Topuria] up, I'll rematch Justin [Gaethje], I'll fight Conor [McGregor] or Max [Holloway] next. Give me everyone and I'll punch their head in."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.Earlier, 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.Article continues below