Conor McGregor's return to the octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329 lasted just 69 seconds after the Irishman suffered a knee injury.

McGregor came out of the gate with a couple of high kicks but missed on both occasions and ended up on the canvas.

The 37-year-old got back to his feet but looked unsteady and referee Mike Beltran waved off the contest as he stumbled.

Holloway was declared the winner by technical knockout.

It was McGregor's first appearance in the UFC since he broke his leg in defeat against Dustin Poirier in 2021.

Holloway was looking to avenge his defeat by McGregor when they first met in 2013 and takes his record to 28 wins in 37 fights.

"You guys are lucky because there is going to be a Holloway v McGregor 3 now," Holloway said.

"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 170lb and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks.”

Former featherweight champion Holloway was making his debut at welterweight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The defeat is the seventh of McGregor's career and fourth in his past five fights, with just one win on his record since 2016.

Critics have questioned whether McGregor still deserves the spotlight after a series of controversies, including court cases and missed drugs tests.

In November 2024, Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her, won her claim against him for damages for assault by rape in a civil case.

Last year, McGregor also accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC's anti-doping policy after missing three drugs tests within a 12-month period in 2024.

The ban, which was backdated to the third missed test in September 2024, concluded in March.

Despite his controversies, UFC chiefs appeared to believe McGregor would still draw eyes to the sport and make the promotion money without affecting the brand.

The general feeling was that if McGregor was to win he would need to land an early knockout blow and he clearly felt that was his best route to victory too.

McGregor's knee appeared to give way when he missed with his first attempted roundhouse kick in the opening seconds.

Holloway avoided a second attempted kick and soon registered that his opponent had sustained an injury.

Bittersweet victory for Holloway

Since making his UFC debut as a 20-year-old in 2012, Holloway has established himself as one of the sport's stars and looks set to eventually earn a place in the Hall of Fame.

Holloway has never shied away from a challenge and his high-output striking and viral finishes have made him a fan favourite.

His point-down knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 was described as "KO of the century" by commentator Joe Rogan.

Defeat by McGregor earlier in his career has always been sticking point, though.

Holloway said earlier this week he was eager to "right the wrong" from 13 years ago but the manner of this victory will do little to scratch that itch.

There were also questions around how Holloway would adapt with the step up to welterweight that remain unanswered. 

Stay at welterweight or back to lightweight - what next for Holloway?

Holloway made his name at featherweight, becoming champion and dominating the division with a record-setting 13-fight win streak.

But the days of making the 145lb weight limit look to be a thing of the past for the Hawaiian, with just one of his past five fights taking place in that division.

He is ranked fourth in the lightweight division and, despite not putting his hands on the title, has done some of his best work at 155lb.

Holloway beat current lightweight champion Gaethje in 2024 and holds a strong claim to face his fellow American for a shot at gold if he chooses to drop back down a division.

Staying at welterweight may keep the door ajar for a trilogy with McGregor but he remains untested in the division and would need to jump over more hurdles to get close to the title conversation.

There's also the question over whether McGregor will even return to the octagon, so waiting for the Irishman would come with huge risk.

Source: BBC

– Agencies