{"id":170,"date":"2026-07-06T02:57:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T02:57:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/?p=170"},"modified":"2026-07-06T02:57:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T02:57:49","slug":"ufc-329-conor-mcgregor-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/2026\/07\/06\/ufc-329-conor-mcgregor-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC 329 Countdown Shows the Exact Moment Conor McGregor Broke His Toe Before Michael Chandler Comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

With less than two weeks remaining until UFC 329, Conor McGregor is finally set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. For more than five years, fans have questioned whether the former two-division champion would ever fight again after suffering a gruesome leg fracture against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 264.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His absence from the historic <\/span>UFC Freedom 250<\/span><\/a> card at the White House only fueled speculation about whether his comeback would ever materialize. Those doubts were finally put to rest during International Fight Week on July 11, when Dana White confirmed that McGregor will headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The fight will be contested at 170 pounds, marking Holloway’s welterweight debut while also raising questions about whether McGregor can recapture his best form <\/span>after such a lengthy layoff<\/span><\/a>. Although he has not competed since 2021, McGregor was originally scheduled to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024 before a broken toe forced him to withdraw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Conor
Conor McGregor’s broken toe injury ahead of UFC 303 (via Instagram)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After that setback, there was little indication that the Irishman was actively preparing for another comeback. Now, with fight week approaching, the UFC has given fans a closer look at McGregor’s road back. On Sunday, the promotion released its <\/span>UFC 329 Countdown special<\/span><\/a>, featuring an extended preview of the highly anticipated rematch with Holloway.<\/span><\/p>\n

The episode also included previously unseen footage of the exact moment McGregor suffered the broken pinky toe that derailed his planned return against Chandler. The footage shows McGregor training at SBG Ireland, sparring with teammates as he prepared for UFC 303. During one exchange, he throws a kick that appears to collide with a teammate’s body, immediately grabbing his foot after recognizing the injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coach John Kavanagh can then be heard asking whether it was all good before ending the session. The Irishman later said in the segment, <\/span>\u201cThere was lapses in concentration in the training. I am the leader of the training, so if I\u2019m lapsing in concentration, it filters down, and that is what took place: a training partner had no protection, and next thing you know? Bang. Broke my fucking toe.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Reflecting further on the setback, McGregor said, <\/span>\u201cThe injury happened. It was very, very difficult. It was my only time I ever pulled out of a fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and it was a very tough one.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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The UFC just dropped footage of Conor McGregor injuring his toe before pulling out of the Michael Chandler fight back in 2024<\/p>\n

\u201cThe injury happened. It was very, very difficult. It was my only time I ever pulled out of a fight for the UFC. It was a very tough one.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/LiLZUDQb0N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n