McGregor demands UFC 329 result overturned after leg injury

Conor McGregor wants his return fight erased from the books. The Irishman suffered a leg tear seconds into the UFC 329 main event, and now he’s demanding the Nevada State Athletic Commission change the result to a No Contest. On Instagram, he told his 46.6 million followers that all money wagered on the bout should be returned to bettors.

The fight lasted barely over a minute. McGregor threw a high kick that missed, and immediately grabbed his right knee. He tried to stand but collapsed. Max Holloway gestured for him to get up, then stepped back as the referee waved it off. The crowd at T-Mobile Arena booed, sensing an anti-climax after years of waiting for McGregor’s return.

This was McGregor’s first fight since breaking his left leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. Now he has damaged the other leg. He posted a simple message on social media: “The fight should be a no contest and all bets returned.” He also shared a video meeting a young Saudi fan named Noah, joking about the boy’s red hair and Irish roots.

McGregor’s Injury and the Case for a No Contest

The two-division champion tore a ligament in his right leg on the very first offensive move of the fight. He hopped backward, unable to put weight on it, and collapsed when Holloway refused to engage on the ground. Referee Mike Beltran stopped it at 1:09 of round one. The bout was among the most heavily bet on combat events in Las Vegas history, with sportsbooks reporting massive action.

McGregor’s camp is expected to file a formal appeal once he receives scan results tomorrow. There is recent UFC precedent for overturning a result due to a freak early injury. In 2023, a fight was ruled a No Contest after a fighter broke his shin in the first 15 seconds, and sportsbooks refunded all bets. McGregor’s legal team will likely argue that no meaningful offense occurred before the injury, making the outcome unfair to both bettors and the athletes.

Precedent for Overturning a Result

The Nevada commission has not yet commented, but McGregor’s social media campaign is already building pressure. He ended his latest post with a promise to share the medical results publicly. The Irishman has hinted at legal action if the result stands, citing the millions lost by those who bet on him. Holloway, meanwhile, is stuck with a tainted victory—he called for this rematch after years of rivalry, but the win feels hollow.

• The fight lasted 69 seconds, making it the shortest main event involving a former champion returning from a long layoff in UFC history.
• McGregor’s right leg injury occurred on his first strike of the night, a high kick that hyperextended the knee and tore a ligament.
• Sportsbooks reported that the bout drew more bets than several recent title fights, with millions of dollars at stake.
• McGregor posted a video of himself meeting a young Saudi fan named Noah, joking about the boy’s red hair and Irish heritage in a rare lighthearted moment.

What’s Next for Both Fighters After UFC 329

McGregor’s immediate future depends on the severity of the tear. If the damage is significant, he could face another long layoff, further reducing his window for a real comeback at age 38. Holloway, meanwhile, is in limbo—his win is controversial, and he may need a new opponent to prove himself. Dana White has not commented publicly, but sources suggest the UFC is considering a Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski trilogy or a move to lightweight for the Hawaiian.

The lightweight and featherweight rankings hang in the balance. If the result stands, Holloway could push for a title shot against Islam Makhachev. But a No Contest would waste the momentum of a major card and leave both men without a clear next step. McGregor, never one to accept defeat quietly, has already begun the PR battle. He ended his Instagram post with a promise to share his medical results with fans, a move that could either build sympathy or be seen as further excuse-making.

McGregor’s Instagram post also included a promise to share his scan results with fans, a transparent move that could pressure the commission. Whether the Nevada State Athletic Commission listens to his plea remains to be seen, but the Irishman has already made his position crystal clear: this fight should not count, and the money should go back to the people who bet on him. For a man who built his brand on finishing fights, this anticlimax may be the hardest defeat to accept.