McGregor Defeat, Makhachev's Tweet
Islam Makhachev Reacts Instantly as Conor McGregor Loses to Max Holloway at UFC 329
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Conor McGregor returned to the UFC octagon after five years away — and lasted just 69 seconds. The Irish superstar lost to Max Holloway in the first round of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11, suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury mid-fight, according to USA Today.
Moments after the stoppage, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev posted just five words on social media, instantly drawing attention to the stunning result. McGregor landed only 5 of 11 strikes before referee Mike Beltran waved off the bout. McGregor left the arena without giving a post-fight interview, per Give Me Sport.
McGregor's Knee Gives Out in Under 90 Seconds
The injury appeared just seconds into the fight. McGregor was moving and throwing punches when he suddenly buckled, according to USA Today. The former two-division champion had not competed since July 2021, when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. His return was one of the most hyped comebacks in MMA history.
Holloway was sharp and composed throughout. He landed 14 of 22 strikes compared to McGregor's 5 of 11, per Give Me Sport. The fight was stopped at 69 seconds of round one. McGregor did not speak to reporters after the loss, leaving many questions about the severity of the injury unanswered.
Makhachev's Five-Word Tweet Goes Viral Instantly
Islam Makhachev wasted no time. The UFC lightweight champion fired off a five-word post on X — the platform formerly known as Twitter — the moment McGregor's loss was confirmed, according to Give Me Sport. The tweet quickly went viral, racking up 39,000 likes and over 1.1 million views.
Makhachev's response was widely seen as a pointed message to McGregor, who has long been one of the UFC's most vocal and polarizing personalities. The tweet drew sharp reactions from fans and fighters alike, effectively overshadowing much of the post-event discussion about Holloway's dominant performance.
Holloway Wins Big — and Then Recreates a Viral Meme
Max Holloway's night did not end with the win. The former featherweight champion also posed for a photo with NBA star Sophie Cunningham, known for her iconic finger-pointing meme. The two recreated the image together inside the arena, according to FTW USA Today.
The photo caught on immediately across social media. Cunningham had joined the Octagon Girls for the event. The lighthearted moment offered a sharp contrast to the grim scenes surrounding McGregor's exit from the building without comment or interview.
What Comes Next for McGregor After the Collapse
McGregor's future in MMA is now deeply uncertain. He had spent five years rebuilding after his 2021 leg break. His comeback was billed as a major event — but it ended almost before it began. Reports from USA Today noted his injury updates were still unclear hours after the fight.
Spanish-language outlet La Times described the night as a disaster, noting McGregor was injured in just 69 seconds after five years of waiting. Whether he will fight again — or seek another medical recovery — remains an open question. At 36, McGregor's window to reclaim relevance in the sport is shrinking fast.
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