McGregor to undergo knee surgery following UFC 329 defeat
The former two-division champion faces a lengthy rehabilitation period, with White dismissing immediate speculation about his next bout as premature.
UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that Conor McGregor requires surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his right knee, sustained during his 69-second defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 329. The announcement, made at a post-fight press conference in Oklahoma City, provides the first official medical details regarding the injury that ended McGregor’s comeback bout in the opening seconds.
White stated that McGregor will undergo surgery followed by physical therapy, emphasising that the recovery process will dictate the timeline for any future competition. The CEO indicated that discussions regarding McGregor’s next fight are premature, noting that training can only commence once medical clearance is granted. White described the potential next bout as possibly the Irishman’s last in the UFC, though he stopped short of confirming a retirement.
McGregor, 38, suffered the injury while attempting a flying switch kick in the initial moments of the fight. Holloway won by technical knockout after McGregor failed to land a single significant strike. The loss marks McGregor’s first bout since 2021 and his second defeat to Holloway, having previously lost their initial encounter earlier in the month.
Prior to the event, McGregor had targeted an April 2027 return date for his next fight, having worked with promotional officials to schedule the final two bouts on his current contract. However, White’s comments suggest that the recovery timeline may push this date further out. McGregor has previously expressed interest in exploring free agency once his contract obligations are fulfilled.
In the days following the loss, McGregor has confirmed he intends to complete the final fight of his UFC contract, albeit at a later date than originally planned. He has also lobbied for the UFC 329 result to be overturned into a no-contest, citing the nature of the injury. The outcome of this request remains undetermined.
