Conor McGregor suffered ACL and meniscus damage in his UFC return against Max Holloway on July 11, 2026, ending the bout early. He said it is the same injury as his 2013 fight with Holloway, only the opposite leg. He expressed confidence he could fight again by summer 2027, noting he walked without crutch and did leg exercises.

UFC president Dana White addressed the injury at a news conference, saying McGregor's knee is "f---ed up" and confirming an ACL tear. White stressed that McGregor needs surgery, physical therapy, and time before any talk of another bout, calling the discussion "not even worth talking about."

The loss marked McGregor's first UFC fight since July 2021, when he broke his left leg against Dustin Poirier. At 38, he referenced his nine‑month return after a 2013 injury and pointed to regenerative medicine advances, but White remained skeptical about a quick comeback.