Conor McGregor explains mindset behind wild opening kick that cost him UFC 329

Conor McGregor had a night to forget during his comeback bout at UFC 329.

The Irishman was sidelined with a life-altering leg injury, but made a miraculous recovery and promised a triumphant return. Fans rejoiced, believing they’d get to see a hungry, motivated McGregor for the first time in almost a decade. While the hunger could have been there, his body still wasn’t 100%. In the opening seconds of his fight against Max Holloway, he ran across the octagon, threw a jumping switch kick, and landed wrong, resulting in him tearing his ACL and damaging his meniscus.

The attempt left many baffled, having just recovered from a potentially career-ending leg break. In response to the doubters, McGregor has finally shared the idea that went into throwing the kick so early, saying:

“I had the shot. I was landing it perfectly in training. My sparring partners were coming forward… I just had it set in my head. I don’t care. When this bell rings. The last time I was in this octagon, the leg snapped in half. I’m going to run forward, and charge, and fly across the octagon, and crack him in the jaw.”

“You know, I didn’t care about surroundings or canvas. I didn’t even look. I was just going. It was the first time I’d ever done something like that. Usually, I’ll have my weapons in tow, and I’ll go in, and I’ll see, and I’ll say, ‘Right, there’s weapon one…’ That’s how I should have done it.”

“I’m out five years. It is what it is… I came close, bro. I came close. Listen, it’s the highest highs and the lowest lows. Who else is going to charge up the octagon after breaking their leg in half, on the first go?”

Listen to Conor McGregor’s comments about that fateful night of July 11 below.