Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway at UFC 329 Ended Early, but the Fallout Could Last for Years

When they met in 2013, both were still early in their UFC careers. McGregor won a clear decision, but Holloway was only 21, and neither man had yet become a champion. Thirteen years later, they returned as two of the biggest names in the sport.

The expectation was that UFC 329 would finally show how their styles had changed over the past decade.  

Instead, the fight lasted only 69 seconds. McGregor injured his right knee after attempting a jumping kick, leaving him unable to continue, and Holloway was awarded a first round TKO victory.

Holloway now has a win over McGregor, but McGregor still owns the more convincing result from their first meeting. Neither man got what they were hoping for. Now, we are all hoping to see the third fight in the future to finally get a competitive ending worth watching.  

The Rematch Came with Plenty of Uncertainty

McGregor entered UFC 329 after almost five years away due to a broken right leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.  

Holloway had been much more active. After leaving the featherweight division behind, he defeated Dustin Poirier by decision in 2025 before losing a rematch with Charles Oliveira in March 2026. That result showed that Holloway could compete with leading lightweights, but it was also a reminder that moving through heavier divisions doesn’t erase problems.  

UFC 329 took place at welterweight. McGregor had fought at 170 pounds before, but Holloway was entering unfamiliar territory. However, in an exclusive interview with Max Holloway, he made it clear that the weight didn’t affect his decision, saying he would have accepted the McGregor fight even if it had been offered at heavyweight. Both men came into the fight carrying more weight than they had during their featherweight years, even though they had arrived there through very different paths.

McGregor’s best performances were built around speed, timing and the ability to punish an opponent before the fight settles. Holloway became famous for almost the opposite reason. He builds his attacks through combinations, pressure and adjustments made over several rounds.

That contrast gave the rematch a clear direction. McGregor needed to make the early minutes count. Holloway wanted enough time to force him into a faster, more demanding fight. The injury prevented either plan from being properly tested.

What Actually Happened in Those 69 Seconds

McGregor began aggressively, which was hardly surprising. He wanted to look sharp, athletic and unpredictable from the opening exchange rather than spend the first round cautiously reading Holloway.

After a minute he attempted a left footed jumping switch kick. McGregor landed awkwardly, and his right leg buckled underneath him. He remained in the fight briefly, but it soon became clear that he couldn’t move or defend himself.

Holloway recognized the problem and stopped the fight after which the referee Mike Beltran called in the contest at 1:09 of the first round, giving Holloway the TKO victory. Early medical concerns centered on a possible torn ACL, although the exact diagnosis had not been confirmed immediately.

McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, later said the knee had caused no problems during preparation. According to Kavanagh, McGregor had repeatedly practiced the kick in training without an issue. McGregor also rejected claims that he had entered the fight carrying an existing injury.

There was no prolonged Holloway combination, no knockdown and no defensive collapse caused by exhaustion. McGregor’s body failed during an attacking movement.

Holloway officially won, and nothing should be taken away from his professionalism once he saw the injury. However, the finish didn’t prove that he had solved McGregor’s striking or that McGregor could no longer compete with him. The fight stopped before either man had established control.

McGregor’s Opening Approach Was Extremely Ambitious

Although the bout was too brief for a complete technical assessment, McGregor’s opening choice was revealing. Returning after five years away is difficult enough without immediately attempting explosive, high risk techniques. A jumping switch kick demands coordination, balance and confidence in the supporting leg. It can surprise an opponent, but it also creates unnecessary risk.

McGregor appeared determined to remove any doubt that his return would be with caution. He wanted to demonstrate that his timing, flexibility and attacking imagination were still available. The problem was that he tried to prove too much too quickly.

A more controlled opening might have involved feints, straight left hands, front kicks and careful work from long range. Those techniques would have allowed McGregor to test his reactions. Instead, he committed to an explosive movement almost immediately.

That doesn’t necessarily mean his preparation was poor. Fighters can perform the same technique hundreds of times without injury before one unfortunate landing causes serious damage. However, McGregor’s decision reflected the pressure surrounding his return. He wasn’t entering as an ordinary veteran trying to rebuild quietly. He was expected to produce a major moment from the first minute. That desire to deliver that moment may have encouraged him to start with more ambition than his body could take.

Holloway Never Had Time to Settle

Holloway’s strongest qualities normally become clearer as a fight continues. In his interview with Stake.com, he spoke with confidence about taking on McGregor at 170 pounds, but the extra weight was never likely to change the patient way he breaks opponents down. He watches how opponents react to feints, studies which exits they prefer and gradually increases the number of punches in each exchange. A single jab becomes a jab cross. A two punch attack becomes a four punch combination. Once an opponent begins retreating in straight lines, Holloway starts targeting the body and finishing combinations with kicks.

None of that was possible at UFC 329.

Holloway had barely begun collecting information when McGregor’s knee gave way. He didn’t need to demonstrate his cardio, defensive adjustments or ability to maintain pressure at welterweight.

This fight will look great at Holloway’s record but fails to prove his abilities at 170 pounds.  

Holloway’s Victory Is Legitimate but Incomplete

There are two ways to look at Holloway’s win. The first is to act as if the result proved he was clearly the better fighter. The second is to dismiss the victory entirely because of McGregor’s injury. Neither position is fair.

Holloway arrived prepared, made weight and was ready to compete for five rounds. He stayed composed when the injury happened and showed concern rather than celebrating excessively. McGregor’s inability to continue wasn’t Holloway’s responsibility.

At the same time, Holloway didn’t cause the knee injury through a submission, kick or sustained attack. The stoppage occurred because McGregor landed badly while attempting his own technique.

The official result should remain on Holloway’s record, but it cannot carry the same competitive meaning as a clean knockout, submission or clear decision.  

Holloway seemed to understand that immediately. He expressed interest in fighting McGregor again rather than treating the rivalry as settled. He later indicated that he may not compete again in 2026 and could wait until 2027, partly because of his family plans and partly because McGregor will require time to recover.

A possible third match would be the first meeting between them with both men entering as established veterans and leaving with a proper result.

McGregor’s Latest Injury Creates a Much Bigger Problem

The concern for McGregor is not simply that he lost another fight. He has now suffered serious injuries in consecutive UFC appearances. His 2021 bout with Poirier ended when he broke his right tibia. Five years later, his return ended with another major problem involving the same leg. Two serious injuries in back to back fights raise questions about whether McGregor’s body can still handle the demands of elite competition.

Those questions will become even more difficult because of his age and inactivity. McGregor was 37 at UFC 329. Even under the best conditions, his rehabilitation would take a long time. Returning to full speed kicking, wrestling and defensive movement creates a much higher standard than the usual training.  

McGregor has already indicated that he doesn’t intend to disappear quietly. His reaction after UFC 329 suggested frustration rather than acceptance, and Dana White said retirement isn’t in the plan. Still, determination alone can’t guarantee another comeback. The next decision will be based on medical results, rehabilitation and evidence that the right leg can safely support another training camp.

Holloway Has More Options Than Waiting for McGregor

Holloway can afford to be interested in a third McGregor fight without allowing it to control the rest of his career. He remains one of the UFC’s most popular active fighters and has credible options across lightweight and welterweight.

A return to lightweight is most likely. Holloway has already shown that his style fits 155 pounds.  

The Charles Oliveira rematch remains unfinished business after Holloway’s 2026 defeat. Oliveira’s grappling, body attacks and improved striking created problems, but Holloway has always been one of the UFC’s best fighters at learning from previous matches.  

A third bout with Justin Gaethje would also attract major interest. Holloway knocked Gaethje out in dramatic fashion at UFC 300, but another meeting would still promise a fast, physical contest between two fighters.

The risk is obvious. Holloway has absorbed a huge number of strikes during his career, and fights with opponents such as Gaethje come with a price.  

Paddy Pimblett Could Become a Huge Fight for Holloway

One of the most interesting post UFC 329 possibilities involves Paddy Pimblett.  

Pimblett submitted Benoit Saint Denis in only 52 seconds in the UFC 329 co-main event, giving him another major win and placing him in position for a bigger lightweight opponent.

Holloway versus Pimblett would combine an established former champion with one of the promotion’s most recognizable newer stars. It would also answer serious questions about Pimblett’s level.

Pimblett would almost certainly look to grapple. Allowing Holloway to establish his jab and combinations over five rounds would be a difficult plan. His best chance would come from forcing clinches.

Holloway would try to keep the fight in open space, make Pimblett chase him and punish every unsuccessful entry.

The match could give Pimblett the biggest test of his career while allowing Holloway to remain active while McGregor recovers.  

Carlos Prates Would Test Holloway’s Welterweight Ambitions

Should Holloway remain at 170 pounds, Carlos Prates would be a far more revealing opponent than McGregor was able to become at UFC 329. Prates is a powerful, accurate striker who carries natural welterweight size. Holloway would have the edge in experience, pace and combination punching, but he would need to respect the power coming from his opponent. This fight would show whether Holloway can pressure established welterweights.

If Holloway wants to pursue serious welterweight goals, he will eventually need a match of this type. Beating McGregor through injury gave him an official win at the weight but didn’t prove that he belongs among the division’s leading contenders.

A McGregor Trilogy Should Be the Goal, Not the Only Plan

Holloway’s ideal outcome is understandable. He wants McGregor to recover, return and complete the trilogy. That fight would offer history, attention and another significant payday. It would also give Holloway a chance to settle the rivalry through performance rather than circumstance.

However, Holloway can’t plan his career around another fighter’s knee rehabilitation. He has already spent many years in difficult championship fights and has reached an age where long periods of inactivity are not automatically helpful. Rest can protect the body, but waiting indefinitely can also cost a fighter momentum and opportunities.  

The best plan would be to take the remainder of 2026 away from competition, as he has discussed, and reassess the situation in early 2027. If McGregor is healthy and training fully, the trilogy should be explored. If McGregor’s recovery remains uncertain, Holloway should accept another major lightweight or welterweight fight.  

UFC 329 Changed the Rivalry

McGregor and Holloway entered UFC 329 looking for a definitive result and proof of their abilities to fight at 170 pounds. They left with an official score of one victory each and even more uncertainty than before.

Holloway gained the win, but not the performance he wanted. McGregor completed his comeback, but only for 69 seconds before suffering another serious injury. Fans saw the opening of a fascinating fight without reaching any of the exchanges that would have determined it.

A healthy McGregor against Holloway in 2027 would be one of the biggest fights of the year. It would give him one more chance to return on his own terms and allow Holloway to pursue a proper victory. Until that happens, the rivalry won’t have a clear winner.