McGregor Rips Holloway for 'Mercy' After UFC 329 ACL Injury
Conor McGregor criticized Max Holloway for alerting the ref during his UFC 329 ACL injury, saying Holloway should have kept fighting.
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Conor McGregor says Max Holloway should have kept attacking instead of alerting referee Mike Beltran when McGregor blew out his knee in the opening minute of their UFC 329 headliner.
The July rematch in Las Vegas ended just over a minute into round one after McGregor buckled his right leg attempting a jumping kick. Holloway immediately turned to Beltran to flag that something was wrong rather than press the finish, and the fight was waved off with McGregor clearly compromised.
Speaking on the MAC Energy YouTube channel with Robert O'Neill, McGregor made clear he did not want the stoppage and thinks Holloway's instincts should have taken over. "I'll tell you what, it wasn't me that was calling for the finish of the fight," McGregor said. "It wasn't me calling to finish it. If I fight you and you look for the ref, 'Ref! Stop the fight!' Who stops the fight? Don't stop! Finish the f*cking fight! You're the man calling for the fight to be stopped. The fight's only began."
What McGregor Said About a Holloway Rematch
McGregor used the interview to restate his long-term plan rather than call for an immediate do-over. "It's all good. It's all good. We do our work, we stay on the track, and we get retribution," he said, adding, "I yearn for retribution. It drives me on. I have this journey. I have this task ahead of me. I have the title of the greatest comeback in sports history." That framing points at Holloway specifically as the man he wants across the cage again, even if no rematch has been booked.
Where McGregor's Comeback Stands
McGregor is not expected back in the Octagon until at least the summer of 2027, and his next bout is set to be the final fight on his current UFC contract. He has said repeatedly that he wants to keep working with the UFC beyond that deal, the same promotion he has fought under since 2013.
The comments won't sit well with Holloway loyalists who point out the Hawaiian was simply doing what any fighter should when he senses a genuine injury rather than a bluff, and referees exist precisely because fighters in the moment cannot be trusted to police their own safety. But McGregor's remarks are also good business. Betting markets thrive on grudges, and a McGregor-Holloway trilogy built on a "finish the job" narrative sells itself long before either man steps back in the cage. Given the long runway to summer 2027, sportsbooks have nothing to price yet, but any future McGregor line will carry the same pattern bettors have seen since his 2021 injury loss to Dustin Poirier: the public backing the name recognition, sharper money treating a fighter who has fought once in over four years with real caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Conor McGregor criticize Max Holloway after UFC 329?
Conor McGregor said Max Holloway should have kept attacking instead of alerting referee Mike Beltran when McGregor tore his ACL early in their UFC 329 main event.
What happened to Conor McGregor at UFC 329?
Conor McGregor suffered a knee injury attempting a jumping kick just over a minute into his UFC 329 main event against Max Holloway, and the fight was stopped.
When will Conor McGregor fight again?
Conor McGregor is expected to be sidelined until at least summer 2027, with his next bout set to be the final fight on his current UFC contract.
