McGregor Suffers Leg Injury 1:09 Into UFC 329, Handing Holloway TKO Win

Q: After 13 years, will the more active Holloway finally get his revenge, or will McGregor's controversial comeback story triumph?

Max Holloway is the more likely winner, based on the available evidence before UFC 329. The key factor is activity. Holloway, 34, has fought eight times since Conor McGregor last entered the cage in July 2021, while McGregor, now 37 and returning from a broken leg and a five-year layoff, is being asked to perform immediately in a five-round welterweight main event. Holloway is also the betting favorite, generally in the -200 to -240 range. Most expert and fighter predictions lean the same way. Robert Whittaker, Paddy Pimblett, Din Thomas and others have pointed to the same pattern: McGregor’s best chance is an early finish, but if the fight reaches the later rounds, Holloway’s pace, durability and volume striking should take over. Several forecasts specifically call for Holloway by late TKO or decision. McGregor still has a real path to victory. He won their first meeting in 2013 and remains the sharper early-round puncher with proven knockout power and timing. If he can land cleanly in the opening rounds, he can disrupt Holloway before the pace builds. His successful weight cut at 170.5 pounds also removes one immediate uncertainty. But the broader evidence favors Holloway’s revenge. He has been the more active, battle-tested fighter, and this matchup appears to reward cardio, rhythm and sustained output more than comeback narrative. Unless McGregor produces an early stoppage, Holloway is the stronger pick to win the rematch.

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 12

1:09 into Round 1, referee Mike Belton stopped Conor McGregor's welterweight bout with Max Holloway after McGregor grabbed at his right leg and appeared unable to continue.
McGregor's comeback unraveled almost immediately: he fell on an opening jumping roundhouse kick, tried to kick again and fell again, then went down a final time after throwing a left hand.
Max Holloway was awarded a first-round TKO by injury at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ending a long-awaited return for McGregor in frustration and confusion.
The stoppage clarified earlier accounts that focused on slips, with the latest report identifying a leg injury as the decisive reason the UFC 329 main event ended.