McGregor injures leg on opening kick vs. Holloway at UFC 329
Conor McGregor‘s return to the octagon at UFC 329 concluded early due to a knee injury during his bout against Max Holloway. The fight, which marked McGregor’s first in over five years, ended at 1:09 of the first round on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
McGregor initiated the fight with a flying left roundhouse kick, landing awkwardly on his right knee. Despite attempting two more kicks and strikes against Holloway, it became evident that McGregor could not continue the scheduled five-round welterweight contest.
Injury and Fight Details
The injury occurred almost immediately after the fight began, with UFC president Dana White suggesting a possible blown ACL. This assessment was shared by medical professionals present. Holloway, who closed as a -300 favourite at Bet MGM Sportsbook, secured a first-round TKO victory.
McGregor’s last fight was exactly five years and a day before Saturday night’s event. His entrance to the ring was met with a roar from the sold-out crowd, accompanied by Notorious Biggie Smalls‘ “Hypnotize.”
Holloway’s win was his first fighting at 170 pounds. While he is a former featherweight champion, the opportunity to fight McGregor made the move to welterweight worthwhile for him. The two fighters shared a moment of respect following the bout, despite the abrupt ending.
This encounter marked a significant moment for both fighters, as McGregor had previously defeated Holloway over a decade ago when both were still establishing their careers. McGregor also sustained a knee injury in that earlier fight, though the recent injury is perceived as potentially more severe.
The outcome evens the score between the two historic featherweights at one win apiece. A trilogy fight between them could be a future possibility, potentially offering both men substantial financial benefits and a chance to definitively settle their rivalry.
Other Bouts at UFC 329
The event featured several other notable fights. Liverpool‘s Paddy Pimblett made quick work of Benoit Saint Denis with a first-round TKO. Pimblett, who was a +120 underdog, blocked a roundkick, shot in, and applied a front headlock to secure the win in 52 seconds. This victory occurred just hours after his home country of England won its quarterfinal match against Norway in the World Cup.
In a bantamweight contest, Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision. Bautista capitalized on a first-round leg kick and maintained pressure throughout each round, ultimately securing the decision with a flurry of punches in the third round.
A scheduled three-round flyweight bout saw Brandon Royval win by submission against Lone’er Kavanagh. Royval applied a rear-naked choke at the 3:40 mark of the final round to secure the victory.
The main card also began with an unexpected turn of events as King Green, despite being bloodied and taking a beating for nearly the entire first round, landed a right hand to the jaw of Terrance McKinney with approximately 20 seconds remaining. Green then finished McKinney for a TKO at the 4:59 mark of the round.
The event generated a reported $25 million gate, indicating continued strong financial performance for McGregor’s fights.
Source: sportsnet.ca
