Conor McGregor has confirmed his fifth career surgery was a success, posting “Surgery went excellent! I am confident!” to Instagram on August 6, 2026, as the 38-year-old Irish superstar takes his first steps toward a planned comeback at UFC International Fight Week 2027.
What Happened to Conor McGregor at UFC 329?
McGregor’s long-awaited return ended in agony after just 69 seconds. At UFC 329 on July 11, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, McGregor attempted a jumping roundhouse kick against Max Holloway and landed awkwardly, tearing his ACL and MCL in the process. Referee Mike Beltran waved off the contest, handing Holloway the TKO win.
It was the worst possible outcome for a comeback five years in the making. McGregor had not competed since suffering a shin fracture against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Holloway remains undefeated in their head-to-head series, having bested McGregor in their 2013 amateur-era bout via TKO after McGregor suffered a shoulder injury in that first meeting.
Dana White addressed the hard truth after the fight: “Listen, everybody who knows anything about the fight business, and it’s been a big topic of discussion leading up to this fight, five years off in this sport is rough.”
When Did Conor McGregor Have Surgery After UFC 329?
McGregor underwent the procedure on August 4, 2026, with surgeons repairing both the ACL and meniscus. In the days before going under the knife, he posted a characteristically defiant message: “Well folks, here we go again. Surgery number 5 of my career coming up! All things considered that is an ok number! Let’s do it, WE GOT THIS!”
The surgery marks his fifth career operation and comes after weeks of medical evaluations. The road in, by all accounts, was not straightforward. Doctors reportedly raised questions about the state of his recovery prior to the procedure taking place.
What Did McGregor Say After His Surgery?
McGregor’s post-surgery Instagram message was brief and upbeat. “Surgery went excellent! I am confident!” he wrote, alongside a photo with a cigar. It was vintage McGregor: short, defiant, and designed to keep the faithful believing.
He has also laid out his recovery plan in simple terms, writing: “Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again.” The message left little doubt about his intentions to fight once more.
Is Conor McGregor Targeting a Holloway Trilogy?
McGregor still has one fight remaining on his UFC contract, and sources close to the fighter have confirmed he is eyeing a trilogy showdown with Max Holloway at UFC International Fight Week in the summer of 2027. “With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods it is well within my realm to return by next summer,” he has stated.
A Holloway trilogy carries obvious commercial appeal. Their first meeting in 2013 was cut short by injury; their second at UFC 329 produced another premature ending. A full five-round fight between the two, with Holloway now a two-time BMF champion and one of the sport’s defining fighters, would be a genuine crossover event.
What Is Conor McGregor’s UFC Record After UFC 329?
McGregor’s professional record stands at 22-7, with his last win coming against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020. He is 0-3 in his last three appearances, with two losses to Poirier and two shortened bouts against Holloway. None of those defeats came in a fight he was healthy enough to finish.
Dana White was measured in his post-UFC 329 comments, suggesting McGregor may need time for “soul searching” before considering his next step. McGregor will be 39 by the time International Fight Week 2027 comes around. The odds against him have never been longer, but few in combat sports history have shown his ability to generate attention, revenue, and belief. The question now is whether the body holds up long enough to give him one more shot at writing a different ending.
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