McGregor Injured Seconds Into UFC 329 Comeback
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- Conor McGregor suffered a leg injury on his first move toward Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event, and UFC CEO Dana White said the team was "assuming a blown ACL"
- McGregor turns 38 in three days and has a history of knee and leg injuries — including a torn ACL and a broken left leg in July 2021 — plus a broken toe that forced a 2024 fight cancellation
- Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoît Saint Denis via front choke in 52 seconds in the co-main event, his first fight since a January decision loss to Justin Gaethje
- Saint Denis was ranked No. 7 in ESPN's lightweight rankings — three spots above Pimblett — making it a statement win beyond Pimblett's prior victories over faded stars Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson
- Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, won his UFC heavyweight debut by TKO over Elisha Ellison in 2:31, showcasing oblique kicks and varied striking rather than relying on his wrestling base
- Mentored by Jon Jones, Steveson drew comparisons to Brock Lesnar — who challenged for the UFC heavyweight title in his fourth MMA fight — with Dana White saying Steveson "looked like a mixed martial artist"
Why it matters: McGregor, who turns 38 in three days and now faces a likely ACL tear on top of prior knee and leg injuries, saw his fight end on his opening move — while Pimblett's 52-second submission of No. 7 Saint Denis and Steveson's striking-heavy heavyweight debut offered the UFC fresh marquee talent on the same card.
