McGregor says surgery is next after UFC 329 loss, vows return to the cage

Conor McGregor said he will undergo surgery following his first-round loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329 and plans to resume his fighting career after he recovers.

The announcement came in the aftermath of a difficult night for the former UFC two-division champion, whose return to a marquee stage ended quickly against Holloway. McGregor did not provide a detailed timetable for the procedure or for a comeback, but his message was clear: treatment comes first, and another fight remains part of his plan.

The result adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to one of mixed martial arts' most closely watched careers. McGregor has remained one of the sport's biggest draws even during stretches of inactivity, with each appearance drawing intense attention from fans, promoters and opponents alike. A loss of this kind, followed by surgery, raises immediate questions about recovery, readiness and how soon he could be cleared to compete again.

Holloways victory at UFC 329 marked a significant moment in his own career, while also reshaping the conversation around McGregors future. Any medical procedure can complicate scheduling in a sport built around training camps, licensing and long-term preparation. For a veteran fighter, the challenge is not only healing from the injury itself but also rebuilding conditioning and timing for elite competition.

McGregor has repeatedly said throughout his career that he intends to continue fighting, and this latest statement follows that pattern. Still, the path back will depend on the nature of the surgery, the length of rehabilitation and whether he and the UFC can identify the right matchup once he is healthy. Those decisions typically take shape only after a fighter has progressed through recovery and returned to full training.

For now, the immediate focus is medical. Surgery suggests the issue is serious enough to require more than routine rest and rehabilitation, though no further specifics were included in the initial update. Until additional information emerges, questions about when McGregor could return — and against whom — are likely to remain unanswered.

What comes next

McGregor's statement ensures that retirement talk will not define the immediate aftermath of UFC 329. Instead, attention shifts to his procedure and the months that follow. In combat sports, comeback plans often begin with confidence and intention, but the timeline is ultimately set by health. McGregor has now made his position public: he expects surgery, and he expects to fight again.