Full Breakdown
McGregor’s UFC 329 Knee Injury Spurs Calls for No-Contest Verdict
7/17/2026, 1:49:58 AM
Core Event
On July 11, 2024 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor faced Max Holloway in a welterweight main event. Sixteen seconds into the bout McGregor attempted a flying kick, landed awkwardly on his right leg, and the fight was stopped at 1:09 of the first round. The referee, Mike Beltran, declared a technical knockout (TKO) due to injury, awarding Holloway the victory.
Background & Context
The bout marked McGregor’s first UFC appearance since his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier, in which he suffered a fractured left ankle. Prior to UFC 329 he had withdrawn from a scheduled June 2024 return against Michael Chandler because of a broken toe. McGregor entered the fight with one fight remaining on his current UFC contract, originally slated for April 2027, and has hinted at a possible contract extension but says the promotion has not yet presented a new deal.
Data & Statistics
- The event generated a record-breaking $25 million gate.
- Betting data show roughly 85 % of wagers were placed on McGregor, including a reported $1 million bet by rapper Drake.
Official Statements & Responses
McGregor used Instagram to issue two concise notes: he will receive a leg-scan result the following day and he believes the bout “should be a no contest and all bets returned.” He also denied entering the fight with any pre-existing injury, describing the incident as “coming out of nowhere.”
UFC president Dana White said he “assumes” McGregor suffered a blown ACL, confirming that surgery is planned.
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, citing video replay of the pre-fight inspection, observed that McGregor “didn’t put weight on that right leg” when removing his shoes, suggesting a possible pre-fight issue.
The UFC has noted that there is no precedent for overturning a result to a no-contest when an injury occurs after the bout begins.
Criticism & Opposition
Several observers have questioned the legitimacy of the injury. Unverified claims on social media allege McGregor entered the fight already compromised or deliberately ended the contest to influence betting outcomes. Betting-watchdog U.S. Integrity declined comment when asked about potential irregularities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Injury specifics remain undisclosed; McGregor has not released a medical diagnosis, while White speculates a blown ACL.
- Pre-fight condition is contested: McGregor insists he was injury-free, whereas Adesanya points to footage of McGregor avoiding weight on the right leg during the weigh-in.
- No official UFC policy addresses overturning an injury-induced TKO, leaving the request for a no-contest without clear procedural guidance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “1. I will have the results of the scan on my leg tomorrow. 2. The fight should be a no contest and all bets returned.” — Conor McGregor, Instagram post
- “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,” — Conor McGregor, X post
- “When they did the replay and he took the Crocs off, he didn't put weight on that right leg. He didn't.” — Israel Adesanya, podcast comment
What’s Next
McGregor is scheduled to receive the scan results on Thursday, after which he will undergo surgery followed by rehabilitation. He has indicated his intent to return to training and fulfill the final fight on his contract, while also leaving open the possibility of a contract extension or a crossover boxing bout.
