{"id":200,"date":"2026-07-14T14:14:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/?p=200"},"modified":"2026-07-14T14:14:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:14:30","slug":"conor-mcgregor-ufc-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/2026\/07\/14\/conor-mcgregor-ufc-return\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHe Kind of Owes Chandler That Fight\u201d \u2013 Israel Adesanya Backs Michael Chandler as Conor McGregor\u2019s Only Logical UFC Return\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is plenty to unpack from UFC 329<\/a> in Las Vegas, but every storyline was eclipsed by what unfolded in the main event. Conor McGregor returned to the Octagon for the first time in five years, only for his long-awaited rematch against Max Holloway to end in heartbreaking fashion.<\/p>\n

Just 69 seconds into the fight, the former two-division champion suffered a serious right knee injury, one that many believe involves an ACL or meniscus tear, bringing the contest to a devastatingly anticlimactic end. Referee Mike Beltran had no choice but to wave off the bout, awarding Holloway the victory via first-round TKO.<\/p>\n

In the immediate aftermath, many wondered whether the injury had effectively brought McGregor’s MMA career to a close. The Irishman, however, quickly dismissed retirement speculation. Taking to social media, McGregor reaffirmed his faith in God and vowed to undergo knee surgery before returning to fulfill the final fight remaining on his current UFC contract.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by UFC on TNT Sports (@tntsportsufc)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n