Conor McGregor Confirms ACL and Meniscus Tear, Targets Summer 2027 Return

At UFC 329 on July 11 2026 in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor’s comeback ended after 69 seconds when a flying kick caused his right knee to buckle. He later confirmed the injury was a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a meniscus tear, the same type he suffered in his 2013 bout with Max Holloway but on the opposite leg. In a social‑media post, McGregor said he is walking without crutches, completed leg‑extension exercises without issue and remains “maximum disciplined.” He expressed optimism that, with today’s regenerative‑medicine advances, he could be back in the octagon by the next summer (summer 2027). UFC President Dana White verified the ACL tear, noted that surgery and a 9‑12‑month rehabilitation are required, and declined to discuss a fight timeline. McGregor also voiced a desire for one more fight under his current contract, ideally a trilogy with Holloway, and remarked that the injury may have “saved” him from a worse outcome. Manager Ali Abdelaziz speculated McGregor might have entered the fight with a pre‑existing issue, but no evidence has been presented.