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Conor McGregor's UFC 329 Return Ends in Devastating Knee Injury vs. Max Holloway

July 18, 2026Diego Herrera2 ΠΌΠΈΠ½

The mixed martial arts community is reeling from a shocking turn of events at UFC 329. The comeback of MMA's biggest star, Conor McGregor, after a significant hiatus, was expected to be the highlight of the year. However, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed an entirely unforeseen outcome.

The highly anticipated welterweight clash between McGregor and Max Holloway concluded in just 69 seconds due to a severe knee injury sustained by McGregor. The devastating moment occurred during McGregor's signature spin kick, where an awkward landing immediately derailed his plans and sent him to the canvas in agony.

While Holloway was the betting favorite heading into the bout, he was the one who ultimately signaled to the referee to stop the fight, showing concern for his opponent's distress.

UFC 329 octagon

UFC 329 Main Card Features Rapid Finishes and Upsets

Beyond the main event's unfortunate conclusion, UFC 329 delivered a main card packed with excitement, unexpected upsets, and swift submissions, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

UFC 329 Main Card Results

Fighters Weight Class Method Round / Time
Max Holloway def. Conor McGregor Welterweight TKO (knee injury) Round 1, 1:09
Paddy Pimblett def. Benoit Saint Denis Lightweight Technical Submission (D’Arce choke) Round 1, 0:52
Mario Bautista def. Cory Sandhagen Bantamweight Decision (unanimous) Round 3, 5:00
Brandon Royval def. Lone’er Kavanagh Flyweight Submission (rear-naked choke) Round 3, 3:39
King Green def. Terrance McKinney Lightweight TKO (punches) Round 1, 4:59

The event was characterized by an exceptionally high number of quick finishes. Paddy Pimblett notably made a strong statement, swiftly submitting his opponent and re-establishing his position in the lightweight title contention.

Betting Odds Analysis: Who Benefited from the UFC 329 Outcomes

The pre-fight betting lines indicated a degree of skepticism regarding McGregor's lengthy absence from competition. The extended break from active fighting was evident, and the risk of an injury, even with a perfect training camp, proved to be a significant factor.

Here's a look at the final betting odds for the main card matchups:

  • Max Holloway (-275) vs. Conor McGregor (+225) – Holloway secured a decisive victory via doctor stoppage due to injury.
  • Benoit Saint Denis (-140) vs. Paddy Pimblett (+120) – Pimblett achieved a significant upset as the underdog.
  • Cory Sandhagen (-135) vs. Mario Bautista (+115) – Bautista's tactical decision win led to many upset betting slips.
  • Lone’er Kavanagh (-230) vs. Brandon Royval (+190) – The experienced Royval delivered a thrilling comeback submission win in the third round.

The card left fans with a mix of disappointment over McGregor's injury and exhilaration from the non-stop action throughout the night. McGregor faces a long recovery period, while Max Holloway opens up new opportunities in the welterweight division.