Conor McGregor injury update as UFC return ends in | Boxing News

Conor McGregor’s dream UFC return ended in disaster as the 37-year-old suffered suspected torn knee ligaments. Five years on from his career-threatening leg break, The Notorious’s fiercely anticipated comeback bout ended in 69 seconds with a defeat to Max Holloway.

McGregor was jeered as he acquired treatment having seemingly suffered a critical injury to his proper knee. Speculation emerged immediately after the bout that the 37-year-old injured his knee in the opening seconds, which led to the Irishman struggling to keep on his ft, falling to the canvas on the strategy in fast succession. Question marks are now lingering over McGregor’s head and his future in the game after seeing his awaited comeback end in tatters, with his household watching on.

UFC chief Dana White said: “I mean, I was at least expecting a one-round war. Who knew what Conor was capable of in terms of cardio or whatever else after a five-year layoff. Well, there you go. We’re assuming blown ACL, I’m no doctor, it’s what I figured and the doctors think the same thing too.

“It’s the blokes who’ve been saying, ‘I’ve been considering about retiring’, if you are speaking or considering (about retirement) then you completely, positively ought to (retire). I have never heard it from him (McGregor) yet but he hasn’t spoke publicly yet. I do not know (about a rematch), we’ll see how this entire factor performs out.”

Holloway defended his opponent as he trudged off to jeers from the Las Vegas crowd at the T-Mobile Arena, he said: “Let’s give it up for Connor [McGregor], what an absolute animal. You guys are fortunate because there’s 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.”

Holloway demonstrated his class following the bout, exhibiting respect to a dejected McGregor, but called for a trilogy with the Irishman after feeling considerably unhappy with the victory. “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,” he told Joe Rogan after the battle.

“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.”

While Holloway has demanded a third assembly with the ‘Notorious’, if the Irishman has certainly suffered an ACL tear or another extreme leg injury it might be nicely over a 12 months before he returns to training. With the Dubliner celebrating his thirty eighth birthday in a matter of days, many are questioning whether or not they have witnessed the last of the UFC legend inside the Octagon.