McGregor says comeback begins after knee surgery

Conor McGregor said his comeback begins now after undergoing surgery on the knee he injured during his return to the octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329 last month. The 38-year-old announced the operation on Instagram.

McGregor, who made his UFC debut in 2019, has lost his last three fights. His return against Holloway lasted just 69 seconds and ended with Holloway declared the winner by technical knockout. The Irishman's knee appeared to give way when he missed with his first attempted roundhouse kick in the opening seconds, and the bout was his first UFC appearance since he broke his leg in a defeat by Dustin Poirier in 2021.

On Instagram McGregor wrote: "Surgery done. Knee repaired," and added: "The doubters can keep talking. I didn't run from the pain - I walked straight into it."

In a video accompanying the post he cited other athletes who had returned from serious injuries, naming two-time UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, two-division champion Georges St-Pierre and seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady. He said: "These are my motivation here, especially the fighting boys," and added: "My mindset is unstoppable, unbreakable."

Critics have questioned whether McGregor still deserves the spotlight after a series of controversies in recent years, including court cases and missed drugs tests. In November 2024 Nikita Hand won her claim against McGregor for damages for assault by rape in a civil case. McGregor also accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC's anti-doping policy after missing three drugs tests within a 12-month period in 2024; the ban was backdated to the third missed test in September 2024 and concluded in March.

McGregor concluded his Instagram post with the declaration: "Now the real work begins. Comeback season starts now. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just the will to rise again."