Coach says Conor McGregor’s knee is “never an issue” before UFC 329

John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor’s longtime coach, confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the fighter was not facing an injury ahead of his UFC return bout against Max Holloway.

The referee halted the fight after only 69 seconds when the former two-division champion suffered a right leg injury in the early moments while trying to execute a left-footed kick.

Upon landing, the right leg gave way. He tried to persist in the fight but found it difficult to maintain his balance, leading to the stoppage. “Devastated,” Kavanagh expressed in a Facebook post. That initial jump switch kick was practiced daily for months, repeatedly during warmup. There has never been a problem. Knee gave out when he threw the very first kick. It truly cannot deteriorate beyond this point.

Although McGregor and his team have not disclosed the specifics of the injury, UFC president and CEO Dana White stated that their medical staff suspects he has suffered a torn ACL. He also minimized the idea, which circulated on social media, that McGregor was already injured before the match, noting that no one had any suspicions until the match commenced. “If there was a preexisting injury, somebody would have noticed,” White stated. I don’t believe there was. Anything is possible, yet he certainly didn’t appear to embody that notion. With 80 million people tuning in on my account alone, the total viewership must be enormous. No one noticed it, so there you have it.

For McGregor, who turns 38 on Tuesday, it sadly mirrored the conclusion of his last UFC fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, when he suffered a broken right tibia that led to a doctor’s stoppage at the end of the first round.

While some may question whether McGregor will be able to fight again considering the outcomes of his recent bouts, don’t underestimate the Notorious. One of those individuals.

I was incredibly focused and fully prepared for this fight; I can hardly comprehend what has transpired. The idea that I was off while walking into the fight is complete nonsense,” McGregor posted on his X account early Sunday morning.

I was composed, prepared, and assured. I am in disbelief at what has occurred. The devil is staring directly at me right in front of my face. I am not participating. I will be at church tomorrow.

I will prevail in this challenge. I will remain steadfast. I shall return.