Conor McGregor Explains Decision Behind Jumping Leg Strike at UFC 329 That Led to Knee Injury

Irish UFC superstar Conor McGregor reveals what pushed him to throw the high kick which led to the sudden injury at UFC 329.

Conor McGregor Explains Decision Behind Jumping Leg Strike at UFC 329 That Led to Knee Injury

Conor McGregor's high kick at UFC 329 (via X)

Conor McGregor‘s UFC 329 return was among the most anticipated comebacks in modern MMA after five years away from competition. The Irishman entered the Octagon with enormous expectations, but a serious knee injury stopped the fight in under two minutes. McGregor has now explained why he opened with a high kick, the sequence that ultimately contributed to the unfortunate setback.

McGregor challenged Max Holloway in a rematch in the UFC 329 main event, marking his first MMA appearance in five years. He opened aggressively and attempted a jumping roundhouse kick just seconds into the fight, but landed awkwardly on his right leg. The knee buckled immediately, leaving him unable to continue before the referee waved off the contest after 69 seconds, awarding Holloway a TKO victory.

McGregor entered UFC 329 following a five-year absence from MMA after suffering a devastating leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The injury left him with a fractured tibia and fibula, forcing a lengthy rehabilitation before finally returning to competition. Opening his comeback with an explosive jumping high kick immediately raised questions, and the Irish star has since explained the factors behind that decision.

A foot too early for sure. Never going to work, I disagree. The eagerness/rush out the gate is what 5 years out of the game will do. Noted and corrected. I’ll get it right. I’m getting closer, that is my mindset.

Conor McGregor via X

However, many believed McGregor entered UFC 329 with a pre-existing injury following the abrupt ending. McGregor dismissed those claims, insisting he was fully healthy and had been throwing kicks throughout training camp and backstage. He maintained that the knee injury came completely out of nowhere.

McGregor has confirmed he will undergo surgery to repair the knee injury suffered during his UFC 329 return. The former champion revealed the procedure had already been scheduled after medical evaluations. He also acknowledged that another lengthy rehabilitation lies ahead before he can resume training.

Despite the setback, McGregor has remained optimistic about his recovery and eventual UFC return. The Irishman has credited spirituality and his faith in God for helping him through rehabilitation. He also intends to return as soon as possible and complete the final fight on his current UFC contract.

However, UFC legend Michael Bisping has expressed concern about McGregor’s future following the latest injury setback. Bisping stated he does not want McGregor to receive a fairytale ending without proving himself again. He questioned whether McGregor would return and compete at the highest level after another long absence.

Former rival Michael Chandler defended McGregor, saying the kick attempt was nothing unusual for the Irishman. Chandler noted that unpredictability has always defined Conor McGregor’s fighting style. ‘The Notorious One’ now focuses on recovery while aiming to complete the final chapter of his UFC career.

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Will Conor McGregor rematch Max Holloway after the UFC 329 fiasco?

Conor McGregor and Max Holloway first met at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. The bout marked McGregor’s third UFC appearance, with the Irishman earning a unanimous decision victory. Holloway suffered a knee injury during the fight, which limited his movement throughout the contest.

Since their first meeting, McGregor and Holloway achieved major success while facing elite competition. McGregor became a two-division UFC champion, while Holloway captured the featherweight and BMF titles. UFC 329 gave Holloway a chance to settle the score, but he was unable to achieve that outcome.

Conor McGregor at UFC 329 (2)
Conor McGregor at UFC 329 ( Sky Sports)

After the fight, Holloway remained confident inside the Octagon and believed the crowd wanted a trilogy matchup. However, the former featherweight champion was also prepared to wait until 2027 if needed for another meeting with McGregor.

UFC CEO Dana White was asked about a potential trilogy fight immediately after UFC 329 but shut down immediate plans. White was recently questioned again as McGregor began rehabilitation and prepared for surgery. However, the UFC boss remains firm in his stance regarding the possibility of the matchup.

When you’re his age and you’ve taken five years off, Father Time is undefeated. He’s looking into knee surgery and is going to undergo physical therapy. Once the doctor says, ‘Hey, you’re ready to start training full-time,’ then we’ll start talking about what’s next for Conor.

Dana White via Adam Glyn

As the former two divisonal champion continues his recovery, the possibility of a trilogy fight with Holloway remains uncertain. Both fighters have built significant legacies since their first meeting in 2013. For now, Conor McGregor’s focus remains on rehabilitation while Holloway continues his own UFC journey.

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