After a massive build-up, Conor McGregor made his walk at UFC 329 and entered the Octagon in his iconic McGregor strut. Fans had packed the T-Mobile Arena to see the Irishman back in action for the first time in five years. However, all the hype, anticipation, and promotion surrounding ‘The Notorious’ ended in heartbreaking disappointment.

Which leg did Conor McGregor break?

As the fight got underway, McGregor immediately came forward with a flying roundhouse kick. However, in the excitement of the kick, the former two-division champion landed on his right leg entirely and supposedly blew out his right knee and fell to the canvas. Max Holloway quickly got on top and unleashed a flurry of ground-and-pound strikes. Eventually, the Hawaiian allowed the Irishman back to his feet to continue the action, but McGregor slipped once again while attempting to throw another kick.

The former two-division champion looked eager to resume the action. However, it quickly became clear that he had suffered some sort of injury based on the way he was moving. After Holloway pointed it out, referee Mike Beltran also decided to step in. He called off the bout in just 69 seconds of the very first round.

On the broadcast, Jon Anik exclaimed from the commentary booth, “He shattered his leg!” Moments later, Joe Rogan said, “He blew his right knee out.” Replays later showed that McGregor had, in fact, injured his knee.

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During the post-fight show, the replays offered a clearer look at the sequence, with Joe Rogan suggesting that Conor McGregor, in all likelihood, tore his “ACL” on the “first move” he attempted against Holloway.

With that, the former UFC two-division champion’s return left fans wanting much more. But it wasn’t the first time the MMA world had witnessed such a heartbreaking setback. Five years ago, McGregor suffered one of the most gruesome injuries of his career against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, breaking his leg in the first round. 

Besides him, Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman also endured the same horrific leg injury during their careers. Afterward, both struggled to recapture their prime, and McGregor now finds himself facing the exact fate after suffering an ACL tear against Holloway.

Also, the last time fans witnessed a fighter tear an ACL inside the Octagon, Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 with a crushing left hook despite limping on one leg to win the light-heavyweight gold. Unfortunately, McGregor’s story unfolded very differently.  

After the UFC 329 headliner fell short of expectations, UFC President and CEO Dana White reacted to Conor McGregor’s injury.  

Dana White left exasperated as Conor McGregor’s injury ruins UFC 329    

Like the fans and fighters, Dana White was also eagerly waiting to see Conor McGregor finally return to the Octagon. The UFC President and CEO spent years promoting the Irishman’s fights, which helped create one of the most successful eras in the promotion’s history. So, when the UFC superstar’s long-awaited comeback was derailed by an ACL injury, the disappointment in White’s tone was evident as he addressed the unfortunate outcome.  

“I was expecting at least a one-round war,” White said at the UFC 329 post-fight presser. “Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five-year layoff? And well, there you go. I mean, we’re assuming a blown ACL. I’m not a doctor, but that’s what I figured when I saw it, and the doctors think the same thing too.” 

McGregor has yet to share his first thoughts following the heartbreaking result of his return. However, he didn’t leave his gloves in the Octagon, a gesture that often signals retirement. If that’s any indication, the Irishman could still pursue a trilogy fight with Holloway, a matchup the Hawaiian has already welcomed during his post-fight Octagon interview.

Still, after recovering from a devastating broken leg only to suffer another major injury, McGregor’s latest setback could be a sign that, at 37 years old, his body may no longer be able to withstand the punishment that comes with competing at the highest level.