Holloway shows class after McGregor suffers suspected ACL tear at UFC 329, targets Makhachev

Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on July 12, 2026, but the main event lasted barely a minute before a referee stoppage ended McGregor’s long-awaited comeback on a deeply disappointing note. The former two-division champion, returning to the Octagon for the first time in over five years, suffered what is widely suspected to be an ACL injury in the opening sequence, struggling to stand and repeatedly falling before the fight was waved off.

Holloway’s post-fight celebration was notably muted given the circumstances. Speaking in a post-fight interview, the former UFC featherweight champion struck a balance between humour and genuine concern. “I had him weak in the knees, I guess,” he said. “All jokes aside, as just not a fighter, as a human, I really hope he’s all good, man. Hope that recovery will come well.”

The Hawaiian initially called for a trilogy bout with McGregor immediately after the stoppage, but with the Irishman now facing another extended spell on the sidelines, Holloway has quickly pivoted to a new target. At the post-fight press conference, he made clear he is willing to remain at welterweight and pursue UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

“If I beat Islam [Makhachev], in Justin [Gaethje’s] words, I’m the 155 champ,” Holloway said, framing a potential title shot as a route to becoming a de facto lightweight champion without moving down in weight.

McGregor’s return had been one of the most anticipated in MMA history, but the night ended in the same painful fashion as his 2021 trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier, which was also halted due to a leg injury. The full extent of the damage to McGregor’s knee has not yet been confirmed.