Conor McGregor Return Update: Sparring Photo, Knee Recovery
Conor McGregor has posted what outlets described as a sparring image to his Instagram Stories, three months after a knee injury ended his UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway 69 seconds in. The post came on Oct. 11, according to FSI247 and MMASucka.
Conor McGregor signals UFC return three months after knee gave way.
— FSI24/7 (@FSI247) October 11, 2026
He’s posted a sparring image and says of his recovery: “I’m ahead of the curve.”
The plan: Max Holloway, International Fight Week, one fight left on his deal. #ConorMcGregor#UFC#MMA#Hollowaypic.twitter.com/jM4B6q4LfH
The image is the latest sign of progress in a recovery McGregor has described as going faster than expected. Even so, he has said he plans to take the full nine to 12 months before he fights again.
Conor McGregor Return Key Facts
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Fighter | Conor McGregor, 38 |
MMA record | 22-7 |
Injury | Torn ACL and meniscus, right knee |
Injured | July 11, 2026, UFC 329 vs. Max Holloway |
Result | Holloway by TKO (knee injury), Round 1, 1:09 |
Surgery | Announced Aug. 5, 2026 |
Latest | Sparring image on Instagram Stories, Oct. 11 |
Recovery window | 9 to 12 months, by his account |
Reported target | International Fight Week 2027 |
Series vs. Holloway | 1-1 |
UFC contract | One fight left, by his account |
What Happened at UFC 329
McGregor faced Holloway in the welterweight main event of UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He hurt his right knee landing a jumping kick, his first strike of the fight. Holloway was awarded a TKO win due to the knee injury at 1:09 of the first round, according to UFC.com.
McGregor later confirmed the damage on X. “Update: It was ACL and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg,” he wrote, per LowKick MMA. He announced on Aug. 5 that he had undergone surgery. “Surgery went excellent!” he wrote on Instagram, MMA Fighting reported. “I am confident!”
McGregor: ‘I’m Ahead of the Curve’
In a September interview with former Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill on his MAC Energy YouTube channel, McGregor said his rehab was ahead of schedule.
“I’m ahead of the curve. Swelling is down. I’m off the crutch two, three weeks. In fact, I was able to get off the crutch a little bit sooner than they had wished,” McGregor said, per MMA Fighting. “I’m in a great spot. But the baby needs to gel back together.”
He said he would not rush his return this time. “It takes 9-12. In nine, you’ll get cleared,” he said. “This time, I think I’m going to take that time. So 9-12 gives me ample time.” McGregor said he came back too early from his first ACL tear and was “really … still on one leg.”
More Conor McGregor Coverage
When Could McGregor Return?
On that timeline, McGregor would be cleared somewhere between spring and summer 2027. He has written on X that “it is well within my realm to return by next summer,” LowKick MMA reported, and MMA Fighting reported that he is targeting International Fight Week 2027.
His preferred opponent is Holloway. In the O’Neill interview, McGregor said “we get retribution” and that he “yearn[s] for retribution,” per MMA Fighting. McGregor beat Holloway by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night Boston in August 2013, a fight in which he also tore his ACL. Holloway’s win at UFC 329 evened their series at 1-1.
MMA Fighting and Heavy have reported that McGregor has one fight left on his UFC contract.
What Dana White Has Said
UFC CEO Dana White has said the promotion will wait on McGregor’s recovery before planning anything. “I’ll focus on Conor when Conor’s ready,” White said in July, in comments embedded in LowKick MMA’s report.
McGregor, 38, is 22-7 in MMA. He has not won a fight since he beat Donald Cerrone in January 2020.
Conor McGregor’s Last Five Fights
Date | Event | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
July 11, 2026 | UFC 329 | Max Holloway | Loss, TKO (knee injury), R1 1:09 |
July 10, 2021 | UFC 264 | Dustin Poirier | Loss, TKO (doctor stoppage), R1 5:00 |
Jan. 23, 2021 | UFC 257 | Dustin Poirier | Loss, TKO, R2 2:32 |
Jan. 18, 2020 | UFC 246 | Donald Cerrone | Win, TKO, R1 0:40 |
Oct. 6, 2018 | UFC 229 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | Loss, submission, R4 3:03 |
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.