# McGregor Return Collapses in Seconds at UFC 329 as Holloway Calls for Trilogy

**By Rosa Delgado**  \nPublished September 14, 2026  \nUpdated September 14, 2026

> Conor McGregor's five-year hiatus ended within seconds at UFC 329 when an awkward landing caused a severe leg injury, leaving Max Holloway victorious and calling for a third bout to settle their history.

When Conor McGregor rushed to the center of the canvas inside Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena at UFC 329, the energy belonged to one of the most anticipated returns in combat sports history. Fighting for the first time since suffering a leg fracture against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, the 37-year-old former two-division champion faced Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch capping International Fight Week. But the dramatic buildup unravelled almost immediately.

Seconds into the opening round, McGregor threw a wayward spinning kick, landing awkwardly on his right leg as he lost balance. His knee appeared to buckle severely upon impact, causing him to slip and fall repeatedly onto the canvas. With McGregor wincing in agony and clutching his leg on his stool, the referee intervened to stop the fight. What was slated as a blockbuster 170-pound comeback ended in a matter of seconds, casting immediate doubt over McGregor's future inside the Octagon.

h2 A Cruel Twist at T-Mobile ArenaThe abrupt ending mirrored the physical misfortune that has hampered McGregor's later career. Having endured years of grueling rehabilitation following his 2021 leg injury, a canceled 2024 bout with Michael Chandler due to a broken toe, and an 18-month anti-doping suspension that concluded on March 20, 2026, the Irishman's stay inside the cage lasted less than a single minute. The sequence was sudden: an ambitious missed strike, an unstable foot plant, and a catastrophic leg or knee injury that rendered him unable to continue.

For Holloway, who entered at 170 pounds following a decision loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March, the victory brought little joy. Nearly thirteen years after their first meeting in August 2013—where McGregor fought through a torn ACL to earn a points victory over a then 21-year-old Holloway—the 34-year-old Hawaiian was prepared for a five-round battle. Instead, he was awarded the win under freak circumstances before either man could establish a rhythm.

h2 Holloway Urges a Third MeetingAddressing the Las Vegas audience inside the Octagon, Holloway immediately expressed empathy for his long-time rival while advocating for a conclusive third fight to clear the slate.

blockquote>Max Holloway: Let's give it up for Connor [McGregor], what an absolute animal. You guys are lucky because there is going to be a Holloway v McGregor three now. Let's get that money. It is what it is. I'll sit down with the UFC. There was so much hype for that. We have to run it back one more time. We need one more. I was looking forward to this. I was working hard to get to 170 [lbs] and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks.

With McGregor holding just one victory over the last decade—a 40-second stoppage of Donald Cerrone in January 2020—another extensive knee or leg reconstruction creates an uncertain path forward for the sport's biggest pay-per-view draw.

h2 Pimblett Stuns Saint Denis in Co-Main EventWhile the main event ended in frustration, the co-main event delivered a spectacular finish. Paddy Pimblett bounced back emphatically from his interim lightweight title loss to Justin Gaethje in January by halting French contender Benoit Saint Denis in the opening minute. Saint Denis, who entered on a strong run featuring victories over Kyle Prepolec, Maurício Ruffy, Beneil Dariush, and Dan Hooker, initiated an aggressive takedown off a low leg kick. Pimblett seized the neck instantaneously, latching on a tight guillotine choke that rendered Saint Denis unconscious before he could tap, sending the T-Mobile Arena into a frenzy.

h2 Main Card Action: Bautista and Royval TriumphIn bantamweight action, Mario Bautista picked up a defining victory by outpointing former title challenger Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Returning from his loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320, Sandhagen saw his movement severely hampered early after compromising his left leg during an opening-round submission scramble. Bautista exploited the damage, landing heavy low kicks, scoring multiple takedowns, and asserting back control to avenge a 2019 loss to Sandhagen.

The flyweight main card bout proved equally chaotic as top contender Brandon Royval halted prospect Lone'er Kavanagh in the third round. After Kavanagh dropped Royval with a crisp counter right in the second round, Royval dragged the fight to the mat in the final frame, locking in a body triangle and securing a rear-naked choke to force the tap.

## Sources

- [mirror.co.uk](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/mma/conor-mcgregor-fight-live-stream-37418840) — original
- [sherdog.com](https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Preview-UFC-329-McGregor-vs-Holloway-2-201814) — original
- [unicornblogger.com](https://unicornblogger.com/ufc-329-mcgregor-holloway-preview-ranking/) — original
- [mmafighting.com](https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/492291/ufc-329-mcgregor-vs-holloway-adds-lightweight-veteran-vs-knockout-artist-matchup) — original