Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh explains what really happened in main event at UFC 329

John Kavanagh, the long-time coach of Conor McGregor, has shared his account of what happened at UFC 329 after the Irishman's long-awaited comeback ended in a 69-second defeat to Max Holloway.

McGregor returned to the Octagon on Sunday in one of the most anticipated cards in UFC history.

Back in 2013, McGregor managed to beat Holloway by decision after tearing his ACL but this time around, the contest was waved off at one minute and nine seconds after he appeared to suffer an injury.

McGregor attempted a wild jumping roundhouse kick in the opening exchanges but his knee buckled under the pressure.

After Holloway had his hand raised, many questioned whether McGregor suffered an injury in the build-up to Sunday's main event but the man himself downplayed that theory in a lengthy social media post.

"My head gasket is gone," he began. "Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight."

"This came out of nowhere," added McGregor. "I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell."

McGregor says he suffered the injury during his contest with Max Holloway. Image credit: Getty

A few hours later, McGregor took to social media again. "I was so sharp and so ready for this fight. I cannot believe what has happened," he wrote.

"The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow."

Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh gives his version of events

Taking to Facebook after the contest, coach Kavanagh confirmed that McGregor suffered a knee injury in the opening stages of the contest.

“Devastated,” he wrote. “That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warm-up. Never an issue. Knee went when he [threw] the very first kick. Doesn't get any worse than this."

He added: "Looking forward to seeing my family in a few days.”

READ MORE: Max Holloway reveals 'crazy' thing Conor McGregor told him before injury ended UFC 329 fight

Speaking in the aftermath of the bout, UFC president Dana White issued an update on McGregor's condition, confirming a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"Listen, everybody who knows anything about the fight business, and it's been a big topic leading upto this fight, five years off is rough," White said during the post-fight press conference.

"Great card, unbelievable. The Paddy Pimblett fight before, you could feel it in the air, here we go. I was expecting at least a one-round war, who knew what Conor was capable of in terms of cardo after a five-year lay-off.

"But there you go. We're assuming blown ACL. I'm no doctor what I figured when I saw it and the doctors thought it too."