Conor McGregor’s Plan After UFC 329 Loss: Surgery and One More Fight

What Happened at UFC 329

Conor McGregor fought Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. He lost in the very first round.

• McGregor (22 wins, 7 losses) looked like he hurt his right knee just seconds into the fight.
• This was his first fight in five years.
• He was fighting in the welterweight division (a weight class in MMA).
• He hasn’t told the public exactly what is wrong with his knee.

Important: McGregor has said he will have surgery and then fight one more time — the last fight on his UFC contract.

McGregor’s Own Words

On Monday, McGregor posted on Instagram a simple plan:

"Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract. Praise God!"

"Prehab" just means doing exercises to get ready before surgery so recovery is easier.

A Look at His Contract and Career

Before UFC 329, McGregor was about to turn 38 years old (his birthday is the Tuesday after the fight). He said he wanted to fight more regularly again.

• He has been with the UFC since 2013.
• He is a former champion in two different weight classes.
• He became one of the most famous athletes in the world through the UFC.
• His contract situation was already something fans were watching before this loss.

The UFC hasn’t said much. CEO Dana White said that if McGregor had won, he already had five ideas for who McGregor should fight next.

McGregor’s Injury History

Sadly, McGregor has been hurt many times before. Here are his big injuries:

• 2013: Tore his ACL (a knee ligament) in his first fight vs. Holloway at featherweight.
• 2015: Partially tore his ACL before fighting Chad Mendes.
• 2021: Broke his left leg in a first-round loss to Dustin Poirier.
• 2024: Broke a toe and had to pull out of a fight vs. Michael Chandler.

Important: An ACL is a band inside your knee that helps keep it stable. Tearing it makes the knee weak or wobbly.

Life Outside the Cage

McGregor has had problems outside of fighting too.

• In 2024, a civil court (not criminal) found against him in a sexual assault case.
• He says he is innocent and was never charged with a crime.
• After the UFC 329 loss, he posted that he is sticking to a cleaner lifestyle and not going back to old bad habits.

He wrote:

"My faith is unconditional and I am thankful to get to prove it! My lifestyle changes are permanent and not just until. I am in Sin City and remain completely devoid of sin. I will not open that door nor crack its seal! I am already back to collecting wins! In Jesus name I pray!"

("Sin City" is a nickname for Las Vegas.)

Summary

Conor McGregor lost to Max Holloway in the first round at UFC 329 and likely hurt his right knee. He will have surgery, recover, and then return for the final fight on his UFC contract. He has a long history of injuries and some legal troubles outside the cage, but says his faith and lifestyle changes are here to stay. The UFC has not announced his next steps.

FAQ

1. What is UFC 329?
It was a UFC fighting event in Las Vegas where Conor McGregor fought Max Holloway and lost in the first round.

2. What does "final fight of the contract" mean?
It means McGregor’s deal with the UFC includes a set number of fights, and this next one will be the last one required by that agreement.

3. What is an ACL injury?
The ACL is a ligament in the knee. A torn or partially torn ACL can make the knee unstable and usually needs surgery and rehab.

4. Has McGregor fought Holloway before?
Yes. They first fought in 2013 at featherweight, and that is when McGregor tore his ACL the first time.

5. Is McGregor quitting after the next fight?
He has only said this next fight will be the final one on his current contract. He has not said he is retiring for good.