Conor McGregor rips Max Holloway for calling on ref to stop UFC 329 fight: ‘Finish the f****** fight!’

Conor McGregor has vowed retribution against Max Holloway following their disastrous UFC 329 rematch this past summer, during which McGregor suffered a catastrophic knee injury just 69 seconds into the fight. The injury occurred when McGregor attempted a jumping kick in the opening moments, resulting in an immediate stoppage that cut short what was meant to be his triumphant return after a five-year absence from competition.

Speaking on Robert O'Neill's MAC Energy YouTube channel, McGregor explained the thinking behind his high-risk opening sequence. He revealed that the jumping kick had been a staple of his training camp, landing perfectly against his sparring partners, and he was determined to execute it regardless of the circumstances. "I'm out five years; it is what it is," McGregor acknowledged, noting that his usual methodical approach to identifying and deploying specific weapons had been abandoned in favor of raw aggression.

Beyond explaining his tactical miscalculation, McGregor took aim at Holloway's conduct during the fight, accusing him of appealing to the referee to stop the action rather than continuing to engage. "It wasn't me that was calling for the finish of the fight," McGregor said. "If I fight you and you look for the ref, 'Ref! Stop the fight!'—don't stop! Finish the f***ing fight!" This criticism underscores McGregor's frustration not only with the outcome but with how the fight concluded.

Regarding his recovery timeline, McGregor confirmed he has already undergone successful knee surgery and is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. He anticipates a return to competition next summer, roughly nine to twelve months post-surgery—the standard recovery window for ACL repairs. McGregor stated he is taking a measured approach to his comeback, determined to be fully healed before stepping back into the octagon, and he frames his eventual return as "the greatest comeback in sports history."