Conor McGregor Confirms Surgery After UFC 329 Injury But Vows to Fight Again

One minute and nine seconds was the duration of Conor McGregor's unsuccessful return to the UFC Octagon.

Despite a brilliant International Fight Week showcase at UFC 329, the Irishman's return to the cage against former rival Max Holloway after five years of inactivity ended in heartbreak.

Following Bruce Buffer's introductions, McGregor exploded out of his corner and immediately attempted a flying head kick.

However, after landing awkwardly on his right leg, he managed to get back to his feet before trying again, only to hit the deck for a second time after throwing another head kick.

It quickly became clear something was badly wrong. Holloway swarmed his injured opponent with strikes and, once McGregor returned to his feet visibly wincing in pain, referee Mike Beltran had little choice but to intervene and wave off the contest after just 69 seconds.

Since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, McGregor has won just one of his last five UFC fights, with that lone victory coming against Donald Cerrone.

The defeat has since been followed by another major blow for the former two-division champion.

UFC CEO Dana White revealed after the event that McGregor is expected to undergo surgery, with the promotion believing he has suffered another serious ACL injury. McGregor later confirmed surgery is the next step before beginning rehabilitation.

The Irishman also dismissed any suggestion of retirement, telling fans on social media: "I will fight again."

This injury puts McGregor at a bit of a crossroads. Approaching 40 years old and having now suffered another serious injury to the same leg that put the brakes on his career against Dustin Poirier in 2021, questions surrounding his future competing at the highest level of the sport are becoming impossible to ignore.

Financially, McGregor doesn't need to fight again. We all know how successful he's become through his business ventures outside of the Octagon, whether that's with his alcohol company, his pub in Dublin or his sponsorships with major brands.

If money was his motivation, there would arguably be far easier ways to earn it than returning to the UFC.

A boxing match, exhibition bout or even competing under another banner would likely generate significant interest and another sizeable payday, much like we saw in 2017 against Floyd Mayweather.

Choosing to return to the Octagon, the very place where he built his legacy, suggests that despite everything he has achieved away from fighting, the competitive fire still burns deep within him.

His latest statement only reinforces that.

The desire to fight clearly hasn't disappeared.

The question is whether his body can withstand another comeback.

There is also the matter of his UFC contract, with McGregor previously stating he has one fight remaining on his current deal.

Who does he fight if he does make another comeback?

Remove the McGregor name and he probably shouldn't be handed another blockbuster immediately.

Carlos Prates has previously been mentioned as a potential opponent. But other than adding the biggest name of his career to his résumé, would that really benefit the Brazilian? Equally, would throwing McGregor straight back in against one of the division's fastest-rising contenders after another lengthy lay-off make much sense?

Should McGregor decide to return after this setback, a long-awaited clash with Michael Chandler could still be the fight to make.

The pair coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter and were scheduled to meet at UFC 303 before McGregor withdrew through injury. Despite everything that's happened, the rivalry still exists, and it's arguably the easiest fight for the UFC to sell should McGregor recover.

Of course, all of this depends on whether he is physically able to make another comeback.

McGregor has already made it clear that he believes he will.

Nobody doubts his desire.

After another serious injury and another lengthy rehabilitation process, the bigger question is whether his body will let him.