Conor McGregor publicly responds to knee injury conspiracy theory after UFC 329

Conor McGregor has publicly addressed claims he was injured before his fight against Max Holloway.

McGregor returned to the Octagon for the main event of UFC 329 in the early hours of Sunday morning, and his fairytale comeback was brought to an abrupt halt.

The 38-year-old sustained a knee injury 69 seconds into the fight after failing his attempted roundhouse kick and falling to the canvas.

The former two-weight champion did attempt to carry on after getting to his feet, but he began to hobble before referee Mike Beltran stepped in and handed Holloway a technical knockout victory.

Confirming that he is likely to undergo surgery after tearing his ACL, the Irishman is expected to be out of action for six to nine months, depending on the severity of the injury.

Theorists even suggested that McGregor already had something wrong with his knee before the fight, and the awkward landing only exacerbated the injury.

"Looked like you were having issues with your knee prior to fight, hope you heal up and get back out there," one fan suggested on X.

McGregor has since rubbished the conspiracy theories. Responding to the claims on X, he wrote: "More nonsense. I had zero issue. The taking off of my shoe at the octagon side, a sweaty foot, without a sock on, pulling off the shoe with the ball of my free foot. It was a brief disbalance. If even."

An injury setback will hurt one of UFC's most iconic fighters of all time, but he's already looking ahead to the future, confirming he wants his 'final fight' to be a rematch with Holloway.

And when asked about the Irishman's future on the Spinnin' Backfist podcast, UFC president Dana White revealed that he hasn't even thought about what will happen with McGregor next.

"Not even thinking about it,” White said.

"Conor still has to have knee surgery and go through everything he’s going to have to go through. I understand he’s very unhappy with the way shit played out, but you’re a human being, you’re older, you haven’t fought in five years and Father Time is undefeated.

“So who the f*ck knows what’s going to happen with Max over the next year and what’s going to happen with Conor over the next year?”

Jon Jones heaps praise on Conor McGregor despite UFC defeat

McGregor received mixed reactions following his return to the ring. While some felt he didn't take his training seriously and was carrying an injury before the fight, others have supported him after his comeback ended painfully.

Jon Jones, five-time UFC champion, was one of several who offered praise, urging him not to "give up" after this setback.

"When you are trying to resist the world, one of the steps is God asking you how bad you want it, and then you turn around and get injured, it’d be really easy to go back to the bar and have this rage and animosity, but so far from Conor I’m seeing he’s still praising God," Jones said.

“That shows me a lot about his character… I’ve lost family members, I’ve embarrassed myself, and every time something goes wrong I always give praise back to God...

"So far he is holding true, so that means a lot… Conor has already won… He’s a really great example of how humans can be so imperfect but so unique and special. I just hope he doesn’t give up and he lets his light shine.”

McGregor has one year left on his UFC contract, and should he return for a final fight, he will be determined to make it a special occasion.