Conor McGregor's long-awaited return to the octagon at UFC 329 collapsed almost as soon as it began. Fighting for the first time in more than five years, McGregor launched a flying left roundhouse kick at the opening bell, landed awkwardly on his right knee, and never recovered. Referee Mike Beltran stopped the welterweight bout at 1:09 of the first round, handing Max Holloway a TKO victory by injury at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Holloway's victory left the crowd greatly disappointed due to the abrupt finish, considering the anticipation of the main event. "There was so much hype. We'll run it back. We'll run it back one more time for the boys," Holloway said, in relation to suggesting a trilogy bout. McGregor addressed the loss hours later on social media. "My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury/injuries going into the fight... This came out of nowhere," he wrote.
