Sport3 min(s) read
Published 11:52 13 Jul 2026 GMT
Conor McGregor has been suspended from fighting following his underwhelming comeback fight against Max Holloway.
The former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion returned to the octagon for the first time in five years, but was forced to retire just one minute and nine seconds into the fight.
McGregor, 37, is believed to have ruptured his ACL after one of his first actions of the bout, though this is yet to be confirmed.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed in the post-fight press conference that they suspected this to be the injury in the Irishman's right knee.
"Notorious" McGregor stormed out of the ring after Holloway was declared the winner, refusing to do any interviews afterwards in Las Vegas.
The last time he was in the ring, he suffered a different horror injury with a leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
McGregor, who was fighting Holloway two weight classes up and 13 years on from their first match at featherweight, attempted a jumping kick in the opening seconds.
He then landed awkwardly, before trying the same kick again, which ended in devastation as his knee gave out, with the referee waving off the contest.
The result compounds a rough few years for the combat fighter, who has faced legal troubles in preceding years, having been found liable in a civil rape case in November 2024.
Now, the Irishman has been given an immediate suspension from competition by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NAC).
The NAC is expected to give him a six-month ban from fighting at a minimum, especially given the apparent severity of his injury.
Combat sports can leave the body much worse for wear, with a number of possible serious injuries sustained by fighters.
These medical suspensions are given to all competing fighters, with the length ranging anywhere from 30 to 180 days depending on any injuries.
Speaking after the fight, White said: "I was expecting at least a one-round war.
“Who knew what Conor was capable of, as far as cardio or whatever else, after a five-year layoff.
“I’m no doctor, but that’s what I figured when I saw it.”
McGregor, who broke his left leg in his last fight, appeared crestfallen as he left the cage and headed to the changing rooms.
Unsurprisingly, he took to social media shortly after leaving the venue, posting a conspiracy theory about his injury.
Taking to X, he claimed: “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.”
