Conor McGregor denies pre-existing UFC 329 injury, says ‘I will return’
After lasting just 69 seconds in his UFC return due to a right leg injury, Conor McGregor has intentions on returning.
In his first statements since the disappointing results from Saturday’s UFC 329, McGregor took to X Sunday morning in two separate posts to address his loss to Max Holloway that ended in a referee stoppage after he was unable to put weight on his leg after a leaping roundhouse kick attempt to start the fight.
There was speculation that McGregor had a pre-existing injury due to him stumbling taking off his sneakers before getting into the cage.
From 1:31 am Eastern, McGregor posted that, “My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”
From 5:29 am Eastern, “I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.” He then posted a prayer after that.
Without talking in the arena to Joe Rogan or attending the post-event press conference, McGregor limped out of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas still in his fight gear and refused crutches. The extent of his injury/injuries is unknown as of this writing.
McGregor was coming off a five year layoff, partially due to fracturing his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.