Las Vegas witnessed one of the most dramatic and swift events in the history of mixed martial arts. At UFC 329, the long-awaited rematch between promotion legends Conor McGregor and Max Holloway took place. However, instead of an epic battle, spectators saw a tragic finale for the Irish fighter, which ended within the first minute of the fight.

Tragedy in the First Round

Events unfolded rapidly. Immediately after the opening bell, Conor McGregor attempted to execute his signature style, lunging forward with a jumping scissors kick. However, the landing turned into a disaster: the Irishman's left knee buckled, unable to withstand the load. McGregor fell to the canvas twice, but despite obvious pain, he tried to continue the fight and get back on his feet.

Max Holloway, seeing his opponent's condition, even appealed to the referee to intervene and stop the fight. However, the bout continued until Holloway landed another low kick. McGregor could not bear weight on his injured leg, and referee Mike Beltran was forced to stop the contest.

Results of the Main Event

The long-awaited rematch ended in a technical knockout (TKO) at the 1:09 mark of the first round. For Max Holloway, this victory was the culmination of a long journey — he took revenge for the defeat he suffered in 2013. Now, the American officially has a claim to a title fight against the reigning lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.

Exciting Finishes on the Main Card

The main card of UFC 329 was not limited to just the main event. The other bouts also delighted fans with speed and spectacle, delivering several spectacular finishes:

  • Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint-Denis: The Briton won by technical submission in just 52 seconds of the first round. This victory allowed Pimblett to break into the top 5 of the promotion's lightweight division.
  • Mario Bautista vs. Cory Sandhagen: Bautista defeated his opponent by unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28. Notably, Bautista injured Sandhagen's leg with a submission hold in the first round, which predetermined the outcome of the fight.
  • Brandon Royval vs. Loni Kavana: After a furious brawl in the octagon, Royval secured a victory by submission (rear-naked choke) in the fourth minute of the third round.
  • King Green vs. Terrence McKinney: Green made an incredible comeback, knocking out his opponent (TKO) at the end of the first round, just one second before the final bell.

Context of Events in the MMA World

The tournament in Las Vegas was part of a series of major events in the world of combat sports. Earlier, at UFC Fight Night 280 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ukrainian Danyil Donchenko secured another bright early victory, confirming his status as one of the promising fighters. Also highlighted in the promotion's calendar is UFC 250, which took place directly in the White House, becoming a major event not only for sports but also for world politics.