McGregor dismisses pre-fight injury claims after UFC 329 loss, targets Holloway rematch

Conor McGregor has pushed back against conspiracy theories that he was carrying a pre-existing knee injury into UFC 329, insisting he was “primed, fit and healthy” before the fight against Max Holloway ended in a first-round stoppage.

McGregor’s comeback was derailed almost immediately when a jumping roundhouse kick went wrong on landing, causing his knee to buckle. Referee Mike Beltran waved off the contest after McGregor struggled to rise and limped around the cage following a subsequent ground exchange.

During the broadcast, footage circulated appearing to show McGregor off-balance while removing his shoes at octagon-side before the fight, fuelling speculation that something was already wrong. McGregor addressed the clip directly on Twitter, offering a straightforward explanation.

“More nonsense,” he wrote. “I had zero issue. The taking off of my shoe at octagon side, a sweaty foot, without a sock on, pulling off the shoe with the ball of my free foot. It was a brief disbalance. If even. I was primed. Fit. Healthy. My engine, my oxygen, my blood, my hr, was never in better condition.”

Comparisons were drawn to McGregor’s first meeting with Holloway in 2013, when he tore his ACL in the second round yet continued to fight and won a unanimous decision. McGregor was quick to explain why the two situations are not equivalent.

“The first fight was midway thru the second round and we were positioned on the canvas where there was no weight bearing necessary,” he said. “It was also the left leg which is my back leg in fighting stance. When you strike you move onto your lead leg so the effect was less. This current one was my lead leg. The right leg. Every movement was effected. It was also not me who was calling for the fight to be waved.”

McGregor is currently awaiting the full results of an MRI scan to determine the precise extent of the damage, with surgery already anticipated. He has nonetheless confirmed his intention to fight again once he recovers.

With his current UFC contract set to expire after one more bout, McGregor has given no indication he plans to sign a new long-term deal. As for who he wants across the octagon for that final fight, his answer was unambiguous: “It has to be Holloway.”