'Unbreakable' Conor McGregor takes aim at 'doubters' as he plots comeback after knee surgery following Max Holloway defeat
By Ben Southby
Published 07/08/2026 at 20:39 GMT+1
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Conor McGregor has outlined his plans for a UFC comeback after undergoing surgery on the knee injury sustained in his last bout. "Surgery done. Knee repaired," he wrote on social media. "The doubters can keep talking. I didn't run from the pain - I walked straight into it."
Full fight replay: McGregor makes UFC comeback against Holloway
Video credit: TNT Sports
The veteran fighter returned to the Octagon to face Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July to make his first appearance since 2021, in a fight where he broke his leg in the first round.
However, he lasted just 69 seconds this time after sustaining a knee injury when it gave way after his first attempted roundhouse kick.
Despite another troubling outing, McGregor has no intention of backing down and has already begun another comeback charge.
"Now the real work begins. Comeback season starts now. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just the will to rise again," he added.
In the video accompanying his social media post, McGregor spoke of two-time UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, two-division champion Georges St-Pierre and seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady - all top athletes to have bounced back from serious injuries.
McGregor added: "These are my motivation here, especially the fighting boys. My mindset is unstoppable, unbreakable."
McGregor has not won a UFC fight since 2020, when he defeated Donald Cerrone with a first-round technical knockout at UFC 246.
Since then, he has faced Dustin Poirier twice - both in 2021. He lost the first fight at UFC 257 via knockout in the second round before breaking his leg in the second fight during UFC 264.
Then came his long-awaited UFC return, locking horns with Holloway in Las Vegas, where McGregor suffered a knee injury in the opening seconds of the fight.
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McGregor is a two-time UFC champion and became the first fighter to hold UFC championships in two weight classes simultaneously.
He won the featherweight Championship after defeating Jose Aldo in 13 seconds back in 2015, and a year later secured the lightweight championship after beating Eddie Alvarez by with a second-round TKO.
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