Conor McGregor says knee surgery was successful and vows 'Comeback season starts now'

Conor McGregor said in an Instagram video on August 7, 2026 that his knee surgery was successful after he tore his ACL during the UFC 329 rematch with Max Holloway, and he added that he is focused on rehabilitation and returning to competition.

McGregor, a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, suffered the injury 69 seconds into the rematch when he landed awkwardly after attempting a jumping roundhouse kick and tore his ACL; the referee stopped the contest after McGregor initially tried to continue. The setback ended his long-awaited return following a five-year absence from the Octagon and followed the broken leg he sustained in 2021.

In the Instagram video McGregor said, "Now the real work begins. Comeback season starts now." He also addressed critics directly, saying, "The doubters can keep talking since I didn’t run from the pain and walked straight into it."

He spoke about his recovery mindset using the words, "I am on the road to recovery and that should tell you all about my mindset, straight into the surgery, knee repaired I’m on the road. My mindset is unstoppable, unbreakable." McGregor concluded part of his message with, "Thank you God. Thank you so much God."

During the video McGregor cited athletes who overcame major knee injuries, naming Tom Brady, Aaron Peters, Dominick Cruz and Georges St-Pierre as examples of competitors who returned to top form after serious knee problems.

Current estimates noted in the report suggest the 38-year-old could require nine to 12 months of rehabilitation before he is ready to compete again.

McGregor has identified International Fight Week 2027 as his target for a comeback and still has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract.