Dana White gives Conor McGregor injury update after painful UFC 329 loss; McGregor refused crutches

Conor McGregor refused crutches as he limped out of the T-Mobile Arena following his injury-plagued comeback at UFC 329. The former two-division champion's return after a five-year layoff ended in disaster when he suffered a severe knee injury just seconds into his rematch with Max Holloway after attempting a jumping roundhouse kick.

UFC CEO Dana White provided an update at the post-fight press conference, noting that doctors suspect McGregor suffered a blown ACL based on the nature of the injury. White acknowledged the difficulty of returning after such a lengthy absence, saying he had expected "at least a one-round war" before the shocking conclusion.

McGregor's injury history complicates the recovery outlook. He tore his ACL in his first fight against Holloway back in 2013 and made a relatively quick 11-month return. However, McGregor is now approaching 38 years old and has sustained multiple serious injuries in recent years, including a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. With the new injury occurring in his right knee, recovery timelines remain uncertain.

White indicated that MRI results will provide clearer answers about the full extent of the damage. McGregor's future in competition now hangs in the balance, with potential recovery ranging from a year or longer depending on the confirmation of his injuries.