Conor McGregor injury brings UFC star to tears after main event heartbreak

The return of Conor McGregor did not go as planned in the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, with a knee injury prematurely ending the former two-division champ’s comeback attempt against Max Holloway.

Just seconds into the bout, McGregor attempted a leaping kick which appeared to compromise his knee, and the bout was stopped less than a minute later.

McGregor exited the cage without speaking to Joe Rogan, but the cameras followed him down the tunnel and backstage.

Following the event, ESPN shared a candid video of McGregor’s heartbreaking reaction to his injury, which showed the UFC superstar brought to tears.

Conor McGregor after his loss at #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/P23G6UpK8K

— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2026

Conor McGregor after his loss at #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/P23G6UpK8K

It was an unfortunate end to an exciting night of fights, and now fans are left wondering whether we will ever see McGregor return to the Octagon again.

For those who missed out on Saturday night’s fights, a full look at the UFC 329 results can be seen below.

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Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (red gloves) fights Max Holloway (blue gloves) in a welterweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

• Max Holloway def. Conor McGregor via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 1:09

• Paddy Pimblett def. Benoit Saint Denis via technical submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 0:52

• Mario Bautista def. Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Brandon Royval def. Lone’er Kavanagh via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:40

• King Green def. Terrance McKinney via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59

• Robert Whittaker def. Nikita Krylov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:01

• Gable Steveson def. Elisha Ellison via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:31

• Adrian Yanez def. Cody Garbrandt via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47

• Luke Riley def. Kai Kamaka III via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:03

• Wang Cong def. Tracy Cortez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

• Damian Pinas def. Cesar Almeida via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:44

• Farid Basharat def. John Garza via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

• Ryan Gandra def. Zach Reese via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:15

• Alessandro Costa def. Cody Durden via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:19

Max Holloway def. Conor McGregor via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 1:09

Paddy Pimblett def. Benoit Saint Denis via technical submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 0:52

Mario Bautista def. Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Brandon Royval def. Lone’er Kavanagh via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:40

King Green def. Terrance McKinney via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59

Robert Whittaker def. Nikita Krylov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:01

Gable Steveson def. Elisha Ellison via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:31

Adrian Yanez def. Cody Garbrandt via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47

Luke Riley def. Kai Kamaka III via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:03

Wang Cong def. Tracy Cortez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Damian Pinas def. Cesar Almeida via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:44

Farid Basharat def. John Garza via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Ryan Gandra def. Zach Reese via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:15

Alessandro Costa def. Cody Durden via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:19