SportOther SportsUFCThe former two-division UFC champion tore his ACL against Max Holloway at UFC 329, but a UFC legend has backed McGregor to make yet another return10:37, 21 Jul 2026Conor McGregor has been backed to fight again despite tearing his ACL against Max Holloway.‌The 38-year-old ended a five-year hiatus at UFC 329 against the former featherweight champion, but his comeback ended in defeat after he injured his knee just seconds into the contest in Las Vegas. The bout was waved off after just 69 seconds, handing McGregor yet another loss.‌He has since revealed he tore his ACL and damaged his meniscus, but is targeting a return to action next summer. Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is adamant the Dublin scrapper has both the resources and motivation necessary to make another comeback.‌"He has the physical therapy at the performance institute, he has all the best doctors and money in the world now,” Cruz said during a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show. “I think he's going to stay in the testing pool this time. I don't know, last time he didn't. I had to stay, I chose to stay in, we'll see what he does with that. But with all the access to the things he has, he absolutely can come back.”FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page‌McGregor has been heavily criticised by fans since UFC 329, but the Irishman is convinced of another comeback - as is Cruz. “And I think that he definitely will be back. I really do because of the injury and because everybody got that taste and that feeling of showing up, and everybody doubts him right now, and everybody's kind of upset,” he said. “A lot of people are upset.“Everybody wants a comeback story so no matter what anybody says they're going to watch because everybody loves a comeback story and he's entertaining so the build-up to that will be great.” The American added: “But I think he'll definitely do it. I think that feeling he had that night (at UFC 329) will resonate with him, he's going to hold on to it tight and get through and use it to get through this rehab. He has all the access he needs.”In a recent post uploaded to social media, the former two-division UFC champion provided a major update regarding his injury, stating: "It was the ACL and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within nine months to fight Diego Brandao back then.Article continues below"With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods it is well within my realm to return by next summer. I am walking without a crutch. I did leg extension machine work the other day to no issue. So I can walk without aid, and activate my quad under resistance. All very positive."I am at maximum discipline and have maintained it fully since the bout. I wonder was I saved from something worse here. I believe so. I would have attended the after party as “the man” and who knows then. I believe I was saved."Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌TherapyUFCConor McGregor