Injury expert gives verdict on Conor McGregor's one minute retirement in comeback

Conor McGregor waited five years to return to UFC competition, and it was all over after just one minute and nine seconds.

McGregor, 37, had talked a big game ahead of his anticipated UFC comeback against old rival Max Holloway, but was forced to retire from the bout early in the opening round in a finish that stunned the Las Vegas crowd into befuddled silence.

In his trademark fashion, the Irishman flew out of the traps with a jumping kick but this time it was his undoing, as he landed awkwardly and appeared to damage his knee.

Around a minute later, McGregor attempted a similar leaping kick but fell to the ground afterwards, at which point referee Mike Beltran called an end to the match and awarded the victory to Holloway via TKO, avenging his 2013 defeat.

Now an injury expert has given his prognosis on the blow McGregor may have suffered.

McGregor may have suffered a serious knee injury in UFC fight

Though he has since taken to social media to deny he was injured before the fight even began, McGregor did not appear to be fully fit as he made his entrance, with footage showing his knee looking insecure.

Posting on X as he broke his silence after the defeat, McGregor wrote: "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."

Whether he had an injury ahead of the bout or not, one expert thinks he has one now.

David J. Chao is a former NFL team doctor and now provides live injury analysis on American sports.

Posting on social media, Chao believes McGregor may have suffered damage to his ACL or MCL.

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 (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2026

"Right knee injury," he said, with a video of McGregor's awkward landing.

"By video, worry for ACL/MCL. Possible additional patella subluxation.

"Heroic to even try to continue fight."

Ariel Helwani, a prominent MMA Journalist, tweeted: "Absolute disaster. It appears Conor McGregor blew out his knee on the very first kick he threw. Truly unbelievable."

McGregor stormed out of the octagon after his loss before being interviewed by Joe Rogan.

It was his first fight since suffering a vile leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021. It was reported by the New York Times that McGregor had taken 'powerful, banned drugs' to help in his recovery from the leg break.

He will not be able to return to a UFC ring for some time after suffering another injury, if he ever does so again, given the increasingly long gaps between his fights.

McGregor has faced legal troubles ahead of his octogon return after he was found liable in a civil rape case in November 2024.

Nikita Hand accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel in 2018. In Ireland, unlike the UK, complainants are not automatically granted anonymity in civil rape cases.

A court heard she was badly bruised and a doctor had to remove a tampon she had been wearing using forceps. The trial led to widespread criticism of McGregor's return to MMA, particularly a recent interview on Jimmy Fallon’s show. McGregor has denied any wrongdoing.