Show Caption
The Conor McGregor comeback imploded.McGregor, in his first fight in five years, appeared to suffer a leg injury that ended his bout against Max Holloway shortly after it began at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 11.Now McGregor’s future as a UFC fighter looks as uncertain as ever.He appeared to suffer a right leg injury just seconds after the bout started against Holloway.McGregor, 37, grimaced while landing on his leg after attempting a jumping, roundhouse kick.He got to his feet and tried another kick.He fell again.Holloway attacked McGregor while the Irishman was on the ground but looked to the referee as if he knew McGregor was hurt. McGregor reached his feet again, then indicated he was unable to continue.The referee stopped the fight at 1:09 of the first round.McGregor sat on his corner stool for what seemed like eternity before he left the Octagon to a smattering of boos.UFC reporter Megan Olivi was told McGregor has a "right internal knee injury."Injuries have derailed McGregor before.His comeback fight originally was set for June 29, 2024. But McGregor pulled out two weeks before the fight, citing a broken toe.This appears to be far more serious than a broken toe.The ticket prices might have cut into the level of sympathy as McGregor exited the Octagon. Some people had paid well over $1,000 for tickets to the sold-out event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.Dana White addresses Conor McGregor injuryWith McGregor headed to the hospital, UFC CEO Dana White and doctors apparently working UFC 329 already were speculating.“We’re assuming blown ACL,’’ White told reporters. “I’m no doctor but that’s what I figured when I saw it and the doctors think the same thing too.’’White reported the gate receipts were $26.4 million, the highest in UFC history, and the attendance for the sold-out event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was 20,076. The disappointment level also might have been the highest for UFC history after McGregor made it just 69 seconds before the fight was called.“I was expecting at least a one-round war,’’ White said. “Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five-year layoff.”Did Conor McGregor have a preexisting injury?Paramount+ showed footage of McGregor before the fight that raised the possibility of whether he had a preexisting injury. McGregor, before getting into the Octagon, took off his sneakers and stumbled slightly.“We’re not going to sort of lean into the speculation right now,’’ said Jon Anik, the UFC’s longtime play-by-play announcer, during the livestream. “But for us to contextualize it and at least bring you that video.’’Dana White responds to Conor McGregor speculationAt the post-fight press conference, a reporter said McGregor appeared to have trouble getting his sneakers on at the weigh-in Friday. The reporter also said that left him wondering if McGregor had injured himself in the 24 hours leading up to the fight.White said he didn’t know and cast doubt on the possibility, saying, “The day of the press conference (Thursday), he came running out of the back and ran right to (Holloway) and stopped abruptly and squared off with him. They were pushing foreheads. …“You know, the doctors check them out before they fight and he looked damn good at the press conference and he looked fine at the weigh-ins (Friday).’’
