Conor McGregor discusses knee injury and recovery timeline after UFC 329
Yahoo Sports • 3 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 3:28 PM
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Conor McGregor revealed on July 19 that he tore both his ACL and meniscus during UFC 329, a bout against Max Holloway that lasted only 69 seconds. McGregor, who has undergone this injury before, expressed optimism about his recovery, stating he is walking without assistance and expects to return to the octagon by summer 2027. He indicated that he plans to undergo surgery soon, although specific details regarding the procedure remain unclear. McGregor last competed on July 11, marking his return after a five-year absence.
- •McGregor tore ACL and meniscus at UFC 329.
- •He returned to competition for the first time in five years.
- •Recovery timeline suggests a return by summer 2027.
- •McGregor plans to undergo surgery, details remain unspecified.
- •He cited improvements in training methods as a recovery aid.
- 5:11 PMYahoo Sports — UFC star Conor McGregor gives post-surgery update, injury return timeline
- 4:00 PMMMA Fighting — Conor McGregor provides update on extent of his knee injury, gives timeline for UFC return
- 3:28 PMYahoo Sports — Conor McGregor reveals full UFC 329 injury diagnosis, gives timeline for return
"LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts to his injury stoppage in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Conor McGregor is out of action until next summer. Earlier this month, McGregor made his return to the UFC after a five-year hiatus, rematching Max Holloway at UFC 329. Unfortunately for McGregor, his comeback was stopped before it ever got started, as the former two-division champion blew his knee out just moments into the fight while throwing a jumping switch kick. On Sunday, McGregor gave a full update on his injury, revealing that he tore his ACL and meniscus, giving an update on when he plans to return to action. Update: It was acl and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within 9 months to fight Diego Brandao back then. With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training… pic.twitter.com/2Me14ayIgh — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 19, 2026 “Update: It was ACL and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within 9 months to fight Diego Brandao back then. With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods it is well within my realm to return by next summer. I am walking without a crutch. I done leg extension machine work the other day to no issue. So I can walk without aid, and activate my quad under resistance. All very positive. I am maximum discipline and have maintained it fully since the bout. I wonder was I saved from something worse here. I believe so. I would have attended the after party as “the man” and who knows then. I believe I was saved. “Thank you God! “On we go, no sad stories. Thank you for the support and well wishes everyone, your health is your wealth.” In McGregor’s first fight with Holloway back in 2013, he injured his left knee, requiring surgery and keeping him out of action for 11 months. Assuming a similar timeline, McGregor could be ready to go again by next June. It’s an unfortunate setback for McGregor, who spent five years on the shelf following his leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021. “Notorious” had hoped to be active in his comeback, lobbying for a fight in December, but that is not out of the question.
"Conor McGregor gave both an injury update and return timeline after having surgery on his injured knee.
"Conor McGregor's knee injury is a tad worse than Dana White relayed.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 5:11 PMUFC star Conor McGregor gives post-surgery update, injury return timeline
Conor McGregor gave both an injury update and return timeline after having surgery on his injured knee.
- MMA FightingJul 19, 2026, 4:00 PMConor McGregor provides update on extent of his knee injury, gives timeline for UFC return
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts to his injury stoppage in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Conor McGregor is out of action until next summer. Earlier this month, McGregor made his return to the UFC after a five-year hiatus, rematching Max Holloway at UFC 329. Unfortunately for McGregor, his comeback was stopped before it ever got started, as the former two-division champion blew his knee out just moments into the fight while throwing a jumping switch kick. On Sunday, McGregor gave a full update on his injury, revealing that he tore his ACL and meniscus, giving an update on when he plans to return to action. Update: It was acl and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within 9 months to fight Diego Brandao back then. With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training… pic.twitter.com/2Me14ayIgh — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 19, 2026 “Update: It was ACL and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within 9 months to fight Diego Brandao back then. With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods it is well within my realm to return by next summer. I am walking without a crutch. I done leg extension machine work the other day to no issue. So I can walk without aid, and activate my quad under resistance. All very positive. I am maximum discipline and have maintained it fully since the bout. I wonder was I saved from something worse here. I believe so. I would have attended the after party as “the man” and who knows then. I believe I was saved. “Thank you God! “On we go, no sad stories. Thank you for the support and well wishes everyone, your health is your wealth.” In McGregor’s first fight with Holloway back in 2013, he injured his left knee, requiring surgery and keeping him out of action for 11 months. Assuming a similar timeline, McGregor could be ready to go again by next June. It’s an unfortunate setback for McGregor, who spent five years on the shelf following his leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021. “Notorious” had hoped to be active in his comeback, lobbying for a fight in December, but that is not out of the question.
- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 3:28 PMConor McGregor reveals full UFC 329 injury diagnosis, gives timeline for return
Conor McGregor's knee injury is a tad worse than Dana White relayed.
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