Danis: McGregor in 'Dark Place' After ACL Surgery

Conor McGregor has undergone ACL reconstruction surgery after his comeback fight at UFC 329 ended in injury just seconds after it began, and training partner Dillon Danis says the Irish star is now locked in on getting back inside the Octagon.

Danis, a longtime friend and training partner of McGregor, gave an update on the former two-division UFC champion's recovery in an interview with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck. McGregor's return fight against Max Holloway, five years in the making, came apart almost immediately when he suffered the knee injury that has since required surgical repair.

How Is Conor McGregor Doing After Surgery?

Conor McGregor struggled emotionally in the immediate aftermath of the injury, according to Danis, before turning his focus to rehab. Danis described the toll it took, saying McGregor "was in a dark place" right after the fight and that "any human being will" react that way to seeing a long-awaited comeback end in seconds. He added that he was keeping the specifics of their conversations private out of respect for his friend.

Danis says that period has passed. McGregor now has a 24/7 nurse assisting him, is working through his rehab exercises, and has shut himself away in Los Angeles to focus entirely on his knee, Danis said. He credited McGregor's mentality for the turnaround, saying that once McGregor fixes on a goal, "there's no one that will tell him he's not fighting again" and that he tunes out anyone who doubts the comeback.

When Could McGregor Fight Again?

McGregor still has one fight left on his current UFC contract, and he has previously said he is targeting International Fight Week in 2027, typically held in July, for his next appearance. Nothing has been scheduled or offered at this point. Danis, who said he talks to McGregor almost daily, characterized his friend as being in a good headspace and fully committed to the rehab process needed to get back in the cage.

For bettors, this is purely a watch-and-wait situation. There is no new McGregor fight on the books, and ACL reconstruction typically sidelines fighters for the better part of a year, which lines up with a 2027 target rather than anything sooner. Any futures market on McGregor's next walkout or opponent should be treated as speculative until the UFC actually books something, given his long history of comeback timelines shifting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What injury did Conor McGregor suffer at UFC 329?

Conor McGregor suffered a knee injury seconds into his UFC 329 comeback fight against Max Holloway and subsequently underwent ACL reconstruction surgery.

When will Conor McGregor fight again?

No fight has been scheduled, but Conor McGregor has said he is targeting a return around International Fight Week in 2027.

What did Dillon Danis say about Conor McGregor's recovery?

Dillon Danis said Conor McGregor was initially in a 'dark place' after the injury but is now recovering with a 24/7 nurse, doing his rehab exercises, and fully focused on his comeback.