McGregor injured 69 seconds into UFC comeback

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Conor McGregor has lost each of his last three fights By Bobbie Jackson BBC Sport journalist Published 4 minutes ago 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. 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 to 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 last five fights, with just one win on his record since 2016. UFC 329: McGregor's comeback ends in defeat by Holloway after knee injury Why question marks hang over McGregor's UFC return Published 1 day ago Pimblett makes title claim with 52-second win at UFC 329 Published 57 minutes ago Critics have questioned whether McGregor still deserves the spotlight after a series of controversies , including court cases and missed drugs tests, and critics have questioned whether he deserves the spotlight. 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 Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Max Holloway has headlined 15 UFC events 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