Social media reacts to Conor McGregor injuring knee in opening moments of return fight vs. Max Holloway

Social media reacts to Conor McGregor injuring knee in opening moments of return fight vs. Max Holloway originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The return of Conor McGregor was meant to be a massive moment for the UFC. Instead, it ended with a whimper, as he appeared to injure his knee at UFC 329.

McGregor walked to the octagon for the first time since 2021, facing Max Holloway in a rematch from 2013. The Irish fighter, returning from a broken left tibia, injured his right leg moments into the fight.

About a minute in, McGregor was slipping and not feeling 100 percent. Holloway noticed, as did the referee, who called off the fight to the disappointment of McGregor, the fans, and those watching around the world.

MORE:UFC 329 results, highlights from excitng but anticlimactic card

McGregor left the cage right after and wasn’t heard from outside of backstage videos. It’s unknown what’s next for him and the severity of the injury. It was certainly a trending topic across social media.

The Sporting News compiled reactions to the fight, highlighting discussions about McGregor's injury.

More: Details on what happened to Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway

Social Media Reactions to Conor McGregor UFC 329 Injury

That may been the worst ending to anything that ever ended

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) July 12, 2026

UFC highlights from tonight pic.twitter.com/CUemlkIa2s

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 12, 2026

Wtf the was that

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) July 12, 2026

Conor beat Conor congrats Max

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 12, 2026

Does Holloway even take a shower?

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 12, 2026

We will never see Conor McGregor in an Octagon again.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 12, 2026

That pinky toe again?? #UFC329

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 12, 2026

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@TheNotoriousMMA spent less time in his comeback to the Octagon than I spent in the Traitors castle… and I got murdered

— Johnny Bananas (@johnnybananas) July 12, 2026

Michael Chandler put a hex on this fight

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 12, 2026

Classic Paddy 😂

Paddy Pimblett reacts to the outcome of the main event mid interview! #UFC329pic.twitter.com/qPtYTCHv8S

— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 12, 2026

Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano was more competitive than that.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) July 12, 2026

What happened to Conor McGregor?

McGregor, who recovered from a broken tibia in his left leg suffered in 2021, went for a running kick in the opening seconds. Right after, things didn’t seem right, and it appeared McGregor blew out his right knee.

McGregor was in pain with each step, and the referee finally called it about a minute into the fight. UFC CEO Dana White said in the post-fight press conference he assumes it was a blown ACL.

RIGHT ON THE FIRST KICK 😳

Max Holloway gets his hand raised tonight!

[ #UFC329 | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/8Y5MR1wJ4s

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 12, 2026