Conor McGregor’s birthday celebration didn’t quite go as planned after a tough loss at UFC 329. He shared a video with his wife, Dee Devlin, where he appeared visibly emotional while trying a new energy drink. In the video, he reassured fans that he would be “back again” after suffering a leg injury just seconds into his fight with Max Holloway.
As he finished the video, McGregor made the sign of the cross, seemingly in prayer, and he looked teary-eyed.
The fighter, who hails from Ireland, has faced a challenging few days. During his match on July 11, a poorly executed jumping switch kick to Holloway’s head led to what seemed like a ligament tear in his knee.
On a slightly brighter note, McGregor’s right knee wasn’t seen in an air cast, which suggests that the situation could have been worse. UFC president Dana White mentioned that doctors are “presuming” it was an ACL injury based on their assessments post-fight.
Typically, not having an air cast means a complete knee reconstruction might not be necessary. However, there could still be underlying damage to the ACL, MCL, or meniscus.
Recovery for a torn meniscus is generally quicker, taking about 3 to 6 months, while healing from ACL or MCL tears could stretch into a year or more, and sometimes longer.
McGregor has one fight remaining on his UFC contract before he enters free agency. While interest from other organizations is likely, this latest injury could complicate his plans. He had been aiming to fulfill his contract with a final fight in April 2027, but it’s uncertain if that timeline is still realistic given that this is his third significant leg injury.
