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Conor McGregor attempted his UFC comeback after a five-year hiatus, but suffered a brutal ACL injury early in the bout and ultimately lost in the first round to Max Holloway.
The UFC 329 main event, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, had all of the hype and spectacle one might expect for such a big return fight. As he typically does, superstar announcer Bruce Buffer was in the octagon to give a strong, energetic introduction for the fighters and the fight.
However, the fight lasted just 69 seconds due to McGregor’s quick injury, which he suffered during his jumping kick attempt. Buffer recently recalled an emotional moment with McGregor after the fight.
“I have a lot of history with Conor, and I hated to see that happen,” he shared while speaking with Ariel Helwani. “So when I got face-to-face with him, I put my hand on his shoulder to just say, ‘Are you okay?'”
“And he came in and hugged me and put his head on my shoulder, and we had that moment together,” Buffer said.
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“That was the moment between us, and it was what it was,” he told Helwani, also mentioning that it became a viral photo.
Buffer also said he was “honored” that McGregor looked to him for comfort in that moment, and said he was hopeful that “Conor heals 100%.”
“If he comes back to fight, well more power to him to fulfill his contract. If he doesn’t come back and fight, more power to him too,” he said.
However, everyone, including Buffer, realizes this will be a long road to recovery for McGregor, who turned 38 last week. The former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion has shared several updates since UFC 329, including a social media post revealing his injury involved his ACL and meniscus.
McGregor also indicated that the injury was similar to one he suffered in his first fight against Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26 in 2013, but this time it was in the opposite leg. Despite getting hurt in the second round, he won that first fight by unanimous decision.
That previous injury required surgery and 10 months to recover. McGregor has maintained that he plans to recover and return to fighting again after the UFC 329 injury.
Based on his remarks and Holloway’s, they would have a trilogy fight, as each fighter has a win over the other in their two matchups. However, it seems like it could take over a year for that fight to actually happen, if it does.
More news: Dana White Addresses Conor McGregor Injury Question at UFC OKC
For more about MMA and the UFC, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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