Islam Makhachev reacts to Conor McGregor blowing out his knee at UFC 329: ‘I feel bad’
UFC fighter Islam Makhachev expressed sympathy for Conor McGregor after the Irish star suffered a severe knee injury during his return fight at UFC 329. The injury occurred early in the first round, leading to a stoppage and delaying McGregor's potential return to the sport until 2027.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the physical risks of high-level combat sports and the ongoing career uncertainty of one of the UFC's biggest stars.
There's certainly no love lost between Islam Makhachev's team and Conor McGregor, but even the reigning UFC welterweight champion couldn't celebrate watching the Irish superstar's long-awaited comeback end in such devastating fashion.
Following a five-year long layoff due to a broken leg suffered in his previous outing in the UFC, McGregor was poised for one of the most anticipated return fights in the history of the sport at UFC 329 in June. Sadly, McGregor threw a jumping roundhouse kick to open the fight and he landed awkwardly, which blew out his knee and tore his ACL.
McGregor tried to continue, but the injury just wouldn't allow it and the fight was stopped just 69 seconds into the opening round.
For his part, Makhachev definitely believed Max Holloway was going to beat McGregor in that fight but even he was disappointed in how the whole ordeal played out.
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