Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 329 ended in just 69 seconds, with the Irish superstar suffering a TKO loss to Max Holloway and a severe knee injury. Following the swift defeat, McGregor has publicly called for the fight to be declared a “no contest,” citing a wet cage floor as the cause of his injury.

The main event at the T-Mobile Arena saw McGregor face Holloway for the second time in his career, marking his first fight in five years. However, the bout was waved off abruptly after McGregor suffered a torn meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) without any direct contact from his opponent. Max Holloway was awarded the victory via TKO knockout.

McGregor’s claims and injury history

In a series of posts on Instagram, McGregor attributed his injury to environmental factors within the cage. “Sorry I’m late but the dry ice has the cage floor wet it’s a no contest now chop chop for the champ champ I’ll see ya’s next year 100%,” McGregor wrote, according to SPORTbible. He suggested that dry ice used during the event created a hazardous surface, leading to his knee giving out.

The injury is a familiar and concerning one for McGregor, as he previously suffered the same torn meniscus and ACL in his first fight against Holloway, though on the opposite leg. While McGregor is pushing for the fight result to be overturned, the UFC typically reserves “no contests” for specific situations such as failed drug tests or accidental fouls, making his appeal an unlikely prospect.

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A long road to recovery and a targeted return

Despite the significant setback, McGregor is already looking towards his future in mixed martial arts. He has set his sights on a comeback at UFC’s International Fight Week in July 2027. “What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset. IFW 2027. The Last Dance,” McGregor posted on Instagram, signaling his long-term intentions.

UFC President Dana White offered a more immediate assessment of McGregor’s recovery timeline. When asked about the fighter’s situation, White simply stated that McGregor would be “out for a year.” This latest defeat adds to a challenging period for McGregor, marking his third consecutive loss and his fourth in his last five fights under the UFC banner.

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