Conor McGregor’s dream UFC return ended in catastrophe as the 37-year-old suffered suspected torn knee ligaments. Five years on from his career-threatening leg break, The Notorious’s fiercely anticipated comeback bout ended in 69 seconds with a defeat to Max Holloway.
McGregor was jeered as he received treatment having seemingly suffered a serious injury to his right knee. Speculation emerged immediately after the bout that the 37-year-old injured his knee in the opening seconds, which led to the Irishman struggling to stay on his feet, falling to the canvas on the approach in quick succession. Question marks are now lingering over McGregor’s head and his future in the sport after seeing his awaited comeback end in tatters, with his family watching on.
UFC chief Dana White said: “I mean, I was at least expecting a one-round war. Who knew what Conor was capable of in terms of cardio or whatever else after a five-year layoff. Well, there you go. We’re assuming blown ACL, I’m no doctor, it’s what I figured and the doctors think the same thing too.
“It’s the guys who’ve been saying, ‘I’ve been thinking about retiring’, if you’re talking or thinking (about retirement) then you absolutely, positively should (retire). I haven’t heard it from him (McGregor) yet but he hasn’t spoke publicly yet. I don’t know (about a rematch), we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
Holloway defended his opponent as he trudged off to jeers from the Las Vegas crowd at the T-Mobile Arena, he said: “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.”
Holloway demonstrated his class following the bout, showing respect to a dejected McGregor, but called for a trilogy with the Irishman after feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the victory. “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 has demanded a third meeting with the ‘Notorious’, if the Irishman has indeed suffered an ACL tear or another severe leg injury it could be well over a year before he returns to training. With the Dubliner celebrating his 38th birthday in a matter of days, many are questioning whether they have witnessed the last of the UFC legend inside the Octagon.