Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor via first-round TKO at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, ending the bout just 1:09 into the opening round. McGregor suffered a severe right knee injury while attempting a jumping left roundhouse kick to start the fight, causing him to land awkwardly and collapse.
Holloway followed with ground strikes before referee Marc Goddard stepped in; McGregor was unable to continue, leading Holloway to signal the referee to stop the fight due to his opponent's obvious distress.
This welterweight bout marked McGregor’s return to the Octagon after a five-year hiatus, having last competed in 2021. The rematch was highly anticipated, as McGregor previously defeated Holloway via TKO in 2013 at featherweight.
Commentators noted the tragedy of the moment, with Daniel Cormier suggesting McGregor’s return from a long layoff may have overloaded his executive functions, leading to the reckless attempt that caused the injury.
UFC CEO Dana White indicated medical staff suspected a torn ACL, casting doubt on McGregor’s future in the sport.
"I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return," McGregor wrote on X after the fight.
Here the other key results from UFC 329.
Paddy Pimblett defeated Benoît Saint Denis via technical submission (D’Arce choke) at 0:52 of Round 1.
Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Brandon Royval defeated Lone’er Kavanagh via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:40 of Round 3.
King Green defeated Terrance McKinney via TKO at 4:59 of Round 1.
Robert Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov via TKO at 1:01 of Round 3.
Adrian Yañez defeated Cody Garbrandt via TKO at 2:47 of Round 1.