With Conor McGregor set to return to action for the first time in five years at UFC 329 this Saturday, the UFC has released footage of the injury that took him out of his last scheduled bout.
Back in 2024, a full two years ago, McGregor was booked opposite The Ultimate Fighter 31 rival coach Michael Chandler, with the pair set to headline UFC 303. Shortly before the fight arrived, McGregor pulled out with a broken toe, leading to Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka being signed as the card’s new main event.
The internet being what it is, the usual crackpots and conspiracy theorists immediately cried foul, suggesting McGregor was running from the fight. However, during the latest episode of Countdown promoting UFC 329, footage of McGregor breaking his toe has been included.
Modern-day Conor provides a voiceover outlining what led to the setback. “There was lapses of concentration in the training. I am the leader of the training, so if there’s lapses of concentration, it filters down. And that is what took place,” states McGregor in the episode. “The training partner had no protection, and next thing you know, bang! Broke my f*cking toe.”
“The injury happened, it was very very difficult. It was my only time I ever pulled out of a fight for The Ultimate Fighting Championship. And it was a very, very tough one.”
Conor McGregor now returns to action against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, 2026. The pair first met in 2013 in a featherweight fight, with McGregor winning a unanimous decision. The rematch will be contested at welterweight, two divisions north of their original encounter.
McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg in the rubber match of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
