A Conor McGregor injury handed Max Holloway a first-round TKO victory after just 69 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Saturday, ending the Irish fighter’s five-year comeback wait.
Referee Mike Beltran stopped the welterweight main event at T-Mobile Arena after McGregor repeatedly lost his balance and fell while struggling with his right knee. The official result recorded Holloway’s victory at 1:09 of the opening round.
McGregor appeared to hurt his knee after launching a jumping roundhouse kick and planting his right foot awkwardly. He attempted to continue but fell twice more before Beltran intervened.
Max Holloway defeats Conor McGregor by TKO in Round 1#UFC329 pic.twitter.com/52BnFWgeh2
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2026Holloway said he recognised that McGregor was in difficulty when his movement and demeanour changed. He expressed concern about the injury and called for another fight because the rematch ended without a sustained contest.
McGregor later said he had carried no injury into the bout and that the problem emerged without warning. He described himself as “beyond dark” after another physical setback interrupted his return.
It was crazy watching Conor McGregor snap his leg in half live now he’s bout to FIGHT 🔥‼️ #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/K9syjQb11s
— Boxing Pro 🥊 (@TheBoxingPro) July 12, 2026The former two-division UFC champion had not competed since breaking his left leg during a July 2021 defeat by Dustin Poirier. His most recent UFC victory came against Donald Cerrone in January 2020.
Saturday’s contest was a rematch of their 2013 featherweight bout, which McGregor won by unanimous decision. Holloway’s victory levelled their rivalry at one win each.
Earlier, Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoît Saint Denis after 52 seconds in the UFC 329 lightweight co-main event.
