Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 329 came to an abrupt end just 69 seconds into his rematch against Max Holloway in Las Vegas. Competing for the first time in more than five years, the former two-division UFC champion injured his right knee after throwing an early left roundhouse kick and landing awkwardly, forcing the fight to be stopped almost immediately.
In the days following the bout, reports have drawn attention to footage showing McGregor arriving at the Newport Pain Management Clinic just four days before UFC 329. The video appears to show the 37-year-old limping on his right leg as he walked into the clinic, raising fresh questions after the knee injury that ended his comeback.
Was Conor McGregor Already Injured Before UFC 329? New Footage Raises Questions
Reports that surfaced after UFC 329 showed Conor McGregor appearing to limp as he entered the Newport Pain Management Clinic just four days before his comeback fight against Max Holloway. The footage quickly spread across social media, leading many fans to question whether the former two-division champion had been dealing with a knee issue before stepping into the Octagon.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Conor McGregor was seen walking into “Newport Pain Management Clinic” just 4 days before UFC 329He is seen limping on his right leg when walking in😳
(Via The Hollywood Fix YT) pic.twitter.com/k5KCsRCRf6
— Blind Bear 🐻🕶️ (@BlindBearMedia) July 12, 2026
McGregor, however, dismissed those claims soon after the fight. He insisted that he entered UFC 329 without any existing injuries, explaining that he had been training normally throughout camp and was comfortably throwing kicks and performing explosive movements during his backstage warm-up. His longtime coach, John Kavanagh, also rejected speculation that McGregor carried a pre-existing injury into the contest, backing the fighter’s account.
The much-anticipated rematch with Holloway ended in dramatic fashion when McGregor injured his knee during the opening exchanges of the fight. Although he attempted to continue by throwing a few more strikes and kicks, it quickly became clear that he could no longer stay balanced or compete effectively. The referee stepped in to stop the bout, bringing the scheduled five-round welterweight main event to an early and disappointing finish.
Conor McGregor Opens Up on the Emotional Impact of His Devastating UFC 329 Injury
Conor McGregor has yet to speak publicly since his UFC 329 comeback ended after just 69 seconds because of a serious leg injury. Instead, the former two-division champion has been sharing his thoughts through posts on X, giving fans a glimpse into the emotional aftermath of the abrupt finish to his long-awaited return.
In one of his first messages after the fight, McGregor described the mental impact of the injury while maintaining that he entered the contest fully fit. “My head gasket is gone,” he wrote. “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.”
A few hours later, McGregor returned to social media to respond to speculation surrounding his condition before the bout and reaffirm his determination to fight again. “I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” he wrote. “The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.” He later shared another post expressing his faith, writing, “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.”
