Conor McGregor has no plans of walking away from fighting. The former two-division champion is planning another comeback after suffering a knee injury in the opening seconds of the UFC 329 main event on July 11.
The Irishman faced former featherweight champion and former BMF titleholder Max Holloway in a rematch. At the sound of the bell to start the bout, McGregor rushed across the cage and leaped into the air with a jumping switch kick. He landed awkwardly on his right leg and fell to the canvas. He fell twice more, once while throwing a kick and later a punch. The referee stepped in. The fight lasted 69 seconds.
McGregor stated that he’ll require surgery but will return. The 38 year-old wants to settle things with Holloway when he does but UFC CEO Dana White isn’t entertaining any matchup for McGregor at the moment.
“Conor still has to have knee surgery and go through everything that he’s going to have to go through,” White said during an appearance on the Spinnin Backfist MMA Show. “And I understand. Listen, he’s, you know, he’s very unhappy with the way sh*t played out, but you’re a human being. You’re older. You haven’t fought in five years, and your body. Listen, Father Time is undefeated. Okay?”
Even if McGregor is able to return, the Irishman will be sidelined for an extended period of time. The landscape of the sport could be drastically different when and if “The Notorious” is able to stage a comeback.
“Who the f*ck knows what’s going to happen Max over the next, you know, year and what’s going to happen to Conor over the next year. So, I don’t even think about that type of stuff until it comes a reality,” White said.
“When Conor reaches out and says, “Uh, I finished all of my physical therapy, leg’s is good place. They told me I can start training full-time now.” Then you start thinking about what’s next. … I’m not even thinking about any of that stuff because it’s so long and so far away it doesn’t matter.”