Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return at UFC 329 lasted only 69 seconds, resulting in the most anti-climactic outcome in the sport’s history, but Georges St-Pierre believes fans will still be eager to see him step back into the Octagon again.
Was Conor McGregor already injured before his last fight, or did it happen in the octagon?@GeorgesStPierre shares inside information with @JTFOz on what happened to McGregor.
— Covers (@Covers) August 11, 2026
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McGregor opened his rematch against Max Holloway with a jumping kick before landing awkwardly on his right leg. He attempted to continue, but his compromised knee forced the fight to be stopped.
It was later confirmed that McGregor suffered ACL and meniscus damage before undergoing successful surgery. He is now targeting a return next summer for what is expected to be the final fight on his current UFC contract.
Speaking exclusively with Covers ahead of UFC 330, St-Pierre admitted it was difficult to watch McGregor’s comeback end under such depressing circumstances.
“I was heartbroken,” St-Pierre said. “I feel for Conor. He was trying to make a comeback and, man, he blew his ACL. I just think it’s sad. The circumstances were out of everyone’s control.”
St-Pierre also pushed back against the suggestion that McGregor was simply looking to collect another massive payday.
“Some people accused him of, ‘Oh, he took a paycheck,’ but I’m sure he would rather have had a real fight and not gotten paid than have this happen,” St-Pierre said. “It’s very unfortunate, but that’s the sport.”
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St-Pierre Says McGregor Wasn’t Injured Before UFC 329
The unusual nature of the injury led to speculation that McGregor may have entered the fight with an existing issue.
Footage of McGregor appearing to momentarily lose his balance while removing his shoes before entering the Octagon only added to those theories. However, St-Pierre says his conversations with people close to McGregor indicate the injury occurred during the fight.
“I’ve talked to some people who know him, and I have inside information,” St-Pierre revealed. “They told me he was not injured. It was a freak accident.”
“You also see him before the fight in the locker room practicing that move. Some people think he was already injured because of what you see on TV when he takes off his shoes and looks like he slips or loses his balance. But from what I understand and from the people I’ve talked to, it happened in the cage during the fight. It did not happen before.”
Could McGregor Produce MMA’s Greatest Comeback?
McGregor faces another lengthy rehabilitation after already spending five years away from competition before UFC 329.
Despite the latest setback, St-Pierre believes the former two-division UFC champion remains capable of returning if he still has the desire to compete.
“I know he’s rehabbing now, and maybe we’ll see him come back,” St-Pierre said. “Who knows? I know it’s far down the road, but maybe in a year. I hope we will if he wants to do this again. I’m sure he will still be very popular. He can do it.”
The disappointing ending at UFC 329 could make selling another McGregor comeback difficult, but St-Pierre doesn’t expect fans to lose interest.
“Conor is unique. He’s an anomaly,” St-Pierre said. “He’s the most popular fighter in mixed martial arts history, and I think people will tune in for that.
"If he comes back after this and does it successfully, that actually might be the biggest comeback in MMA history.”
