McGregor promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
The serious injury suffered by Conor McGregor during the main event of UFC 329 , last Saturday (11), in Las Vegas (USA), should keep the Irish star away from the octagon for a long period. After injuring his knee in the defeat to Max Holloway , the former two-division champion confirmed that he will undergo surgery, but has not yet revealed the official diagnosis. To understand what injuries may explain the case and how long the Irishman may be out of action, SUPER LUTAS spoke to physiotherapist Mateus Senger, who works with Caio Borralho and also participated in the preparation of other Fighting Nerds athletes such as Carlos Prates and Bruna Brasil.
Based on the movement at the time of the injury, what do you believe it to be?
Although the UFC has not yet released an official diagnosis, the mechanism of the injury has caught the attention of specialists. According to Mateus, the way McGregor braced his leg after throwing a kick is consistent with one of the most common types of knee trauma in athletes.
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“A classic case of valgus sprain and external rotation. When he kicked and planted his foot on the ground, the femur rotated inward while the leg rotated outward. This created tension in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is one of the main stabilizers of the knee. It's possible to see that, from that moment on, he loses stability. Therefore, I believe it's an ACL injury,” Mateus replied.
Many experts are talking about a possible ACL or meniscus tear. Do you think that's the case?
On social media, experts began speculating that the Irishman had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or suffered a meniscus injury. When questioned about these possibilities, the physiotherapist explained why both make sense given the images from the fight.
“That’s true. The main mechanism of combined injury between the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the meniscus is a twisting of the knee with the foot fixed on the ground. This happens a lot during jumps. When McGregor puts his foot down, there’s a trauma mechanism where the femur abruptly compresses the meniscus against the tibia, potentially causing a classic medial meniscus tear. But we’ll only be sure after physical tests and imaging exams,” the doctor stated.
The fact that Conor McGregor needs surgery indicates what type of injury?
The fact that 'Notorious' confirmed he will undergo surgery also helps narrow down the possibilities. Although the official diagnosis has not yet been released, Mateus Senger believes that only two scenarios appear to be the most likely given the mechanism of the injury.
"I believe those are the two possibilities: a meniscus repair or ACL reconstruction, especially if it's a serious injury," the doctor revealed.
How long should McGregor be away from the UFC?
If the suspicion is confirmed, the recovery time can vary significantly depending on the injured structure and the chosen treatment. According to the specialist, a meniscus injury usually requires a shorter rehabilitation period than an ACL tear.
"Medial meniscus with conservative treatment, partial removal, we're talking about 4 to 8 weeks, and if it's a surgical repair, 4 to 6 months. Now, ACL is a bit more complex because it's a major ligament in the knee; it takes 9 to 12 months to recover, and to be able to fight with a full training camp, a little over a year," reported Caio Borralho 's physiotherapist.
Does his age (38 years old) make a difference in his recovery?
At 38 years old, McGregor will also have age as a factor to consider during the recovery process. Even so, the physiotherapist believes that advances in sports medicine allow experienced athletes to return to a high level, provided they maintain their commitment to rehabilitation.
"With today's technology, it somewhat inhibits the effects of age, and we have to see if, at 38 years old, he still wants to, has the hunger and desire, because it's perfectly possible for an athlete his age to come back and be able to fight," stated Mateus Senger.
While the official diagnosis has not yet been released by the UFC, 'Notorious' has begun preparations for surgery. If the suspected ACL rupture is confirmed, the Irishman could be sidelined for more than a year before considering a return to competition. This information was gathered in conjunction with editor Luís Antônio Cardoso.
Watch the moment Conor McGregor was injured at UFC 329.
🚨 Conor McGregor Injury
🚑 The UFC guide was injured on the right wheel within 3” of starting the fight.
In the images we can see a clear torsion + dynamic roller valgus typical of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. pic.twitter.com/2AdKo5qQFZ
— Ángel Villanueva (@angelphysio) July 12, 2026
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