Conor McGregor's comeback ends in devastating knee injury after just 69 seconds
"I was expecting at least a one-round war. We're assuming blown ACL. The doctors think the same thing too."
About this episode
Ariel Helwani hosts a watch party from Las Vegas for UFC 329, joined by GC Conor Burks, New York Rick, and Petey Carroll, as Conor McGregor attempts his comeback after five years away from the octagon. The event delivers unprecedented action with eight first-round finishes, breaking UFC records, but ends in devastating fashion when McGregor's knee buckles just 69 seconds into his fight against Max Holloway. The injury, suspected to be either an ACL tear or meniscus damage, leaves McGregor unable to continue and potentially ends his fighting career at age 38. Despite the anticlimactic main event, the card generated a record-breaking $26.4 million gate and featured spectacular performances throughout. Paddy Pimblett emerged as the night's biggest star, submitting Benoit Saint-Denis in just 45 seconds in the co-main event and declaring himself the new face of the organization. Other highlights included 39-year-old Bobby Green's buzzer-beating knockout of Terence McKinney, Brandon Royval choking Lonnie Kavanagh unconscious, and Robert Whittaker breaking Nikita Krylov's jaw in his successful light heavyweight debut. The panel discusses whether McGregor will ever fight again, with consensus leaning toward retirement given his body's inability to withstand the rigors of competition. Pimblett's performance positions him for major fights against Ilia Topuria or potentially Max Holloway, as the UFC looks to build new stars in McGregor's absence.
Key takeaways
- Conor McGregor's comeback ends after 69 seconds when his knee buckles against Max Holloway, likely ending his career as doctors suspect ACL or meniscus damage
- Paddy Pimblett submits Benoit Saint-Denis in 45 seconds, declares himself the new face of UFC, and calls out Ilia Topuria and McGregor
- UFC 329 sets all-time record with eight first-round finishes and highest gate in UFC history at $26.4 million despite anticlimactic main event
- Bobby Green, 39, extends winning streak to four with final-second knockout of Terence McKinney in controversial buzzer-beating stoppage
- Brandon Royval chokes Lonnie Kavanagh unconscious in third round, positioning himself for another flyweight title shot on four-fight win streak
- Robert Whittaker successfully debuts at light heavyweight, breaking Nikita Krylov's jaw and potentially setting up title run in shallow division
- Panel consensus suggests McGregor's fighting career is over as his body cannot withstand competition, with Pimblett emerging as natural successor