Former two-division champion remains determined to compete again after suffering a knee injury during his comeback against Max Holloway at UFC 329.
Conor McGregor has confirmed that he will undergo surgery after suffering a knee injury in his return to the UFC at UFC 329, but the former two-division champion insists he is not finished competing.
McGregor appeared to injure his right knee just moments into his welterweight bout against Max Holloway in Las Vegas. The injury occurred in the opening seconds of the contest, and McGregor went on to lose the fight in the first round in what was his first UFC appearance in five years.
While McGregor has not publicly disclosed the exact diagnosis of the injury, he announced on social media that surgery will be the next step in his recovery. He also outlined his plan to complete rehabilitation, resume martial arts training, and return to the Octagon for what he says will be the final fight of his current UFC contract.
"Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract. Praise God!" McGregor wrote on Instagram.
The announcement comes after McGregor had expressed a strong desire to become an active competitor again. Before UFC 329, the 38-year-old Irish star spoke about wanting to return to regular competition after spending several years on the sidelines because of injuries and inactivity.
McGregor has competed exclusively in the UFC since joining the promotion in 2013. During that time, he became one of the organization's biggest stars, making history as the first fighter to simultaneously hold the UFC featherweight and lightweight championships. His achievements inside the Octagon, combined with his popularity around the world, helped establish him as one of mixed martial arts' most recognizable athletes.
Despite the disappointing result against Holloway, McGregor's latest statement makes it clear that retirement is not currently part of his plans. Instead, his focus has shifted toward recovering from surgery and preparing for another return once he is medically cleared.
The UFC has not publicly commented on McGregor's situation following the injury. However, UFC CEO Dana White previously said the promotion had five potential opponents in mind if McGregor had defeated Holloway at UFC 329. No future opponent or timeline has been announced since the loss.
Injuries have repeatedly disrupted McGregor's career over the years. During his first meeting with Holloway in 2013, when both fighters competed in the featherweight division, McGregor suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) but still earned a unanimous decision victory. Ahead of his interim featherweight title fight against Chad Mendes in 2015, he also dealt with a partially torn ACL before winning the bout.
Another major setback came in July 2021 when McGregor suffered a broken left leg during the opening round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. The injury required surgery and kept him out of competition for an extended period. He later withdrew from a scheduled fight against Michael Chandler in 2024 after breaking a toe during training camp.
Outside the cage, McGregor has also dealt with legal matters. In 2024, a civil ruling was issued against him in a sexual assault case. McGregor has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the allegations and was never criminally charged in connection with the case.
In additional social media posts following UFC 329, McGregor reflected on his personal faith and lifestyle, saying he remains committed to positive changes despite the disappointment of the loss. He said those changes are permanent and expressed gratitude as he begins another recovery process.
Although there is no official timetable for his surgery or eventual return, McGregor remains optimistic about competing again. His immediate priorities are surgery, rehabilitation, and a gradual return to training before pursuing one final appearance under his current UFC agreement.
After enduring multiple serious injuries throughout his career, McGregor once again faces a lengthy road back. Nevertheless, the former champion has made his intentions clear: he plans to recover, return to the Octagon, and finish the final fight of his existing UFC contract.
