McGregor-Holloway Trilogy Delayed
UFC President Dana White rules out immediate McGregor-Holloway trilogy, prioritizing fighter's knee injury recovery.
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Key Points
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White suggested McGregor likely tore his ACL, noting that doctors thought the same after watching the injury.
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McGregor asked the UFC to overturn UFC 329's result to a no-contest and to refund all bets tied to the bout.
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In their 2013 meeting at UFC Fight Night 26, McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision.
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UFC 329 drew notable viewership on Paramount+, underscoring broad interest in the McGregor-Holloway rematch despite the abrupt finish.
Dana White is pumping the brakes on a Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway trilogy fight. McGregor suffered a right knee injury just 69 seconds into their rematch at UFC 329, which ended in a first-round TKO loss. White says there is nothing to plan until McGregor has surgery and recovers. NY Fights reported that White made clear he is not even thinking about next opponents right now.
McGregor has publicly pushed for the trilogy, saying Holloway should be his next fight once he is healthy. But White's response was blunt. "Father Time is undefeated," the UFC CEO said, per The Body Lock MMA, signaling that age and injury — not fight bookings — are the real concern right now.
McGregor's Knee Injury Puts Career on Hold
The UFC 329 rematch between McGregor and Holloway lasted less than a minute and a half. McGregor went down with a right knee injury and could not continue. White told reporters that doctors watching the footage believe McGregor likely tore his ACL, according to Heavy. That kind of injury typically requires surgery and months of rehabilitation.
McGregor has already called for the fight's result to be changed to a no-contest. He also asked the UFC to refund all bets tied to the bout, per Sportskeeda. Neither request has been granted. White's focus remains on McGregor's health, not fight outcomes or future bookings.
White Refuses to Look Past McGregor's Recovery
White was direct when asked about a trilogy fight. He said he is not planning anything until McGregor is cleared to train again. "Father Time is undefeated" was his way of reminding fans that McGregor is not getting younger. The UFC CEO wants to see a full recovery before any talk of opponents, per The Body Lock MMA.
Heavy noted that White stressed the uncertainty around McGregor's timeline. ACL surgery alone can take 9 to 12 months of recovery. By the time McGregor is fight-ready, the UFC landscape could look very different. White is not committing to any matchup until that point arrives.
McGregor and Holloway's History Dates Back to 2013
McGregor and Holloway first met at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. McGregor won that bout by unanimous decision. It was one of Holloway's early career losses and set the stage for his rise as a featherweight legend. UFC 329 was supposed to be a high-profile rematch 12 years in the making, per NY Fights.
Holloway has said he is open to a trilogy fight. But like White, he is not pushing for it right now. The abrupt ending at UFC 329 left fans wanting more. Sportskeeda noted that the event still drew strong viewership on Paramount+, showing that public interest in the McGregor-Holloway rivalry remains high despite the short finish.
What Comes Next for McGregor's UFC Future
McGregor has one fight left on his UFC contract. He has said he wants that final bout to be against Holloway. But White controls the matchmaking, and right now he is not entertaining that conversation. The UFC CEO's message is simple: get healthy first, talk fights later, per The Body Lock MMA.
The clock is ticking for McGregor in more ways than one. He is 36 years old and has had multiple serious injuries in recent years. A torn ACL would be another major setback. White's "Father Time" comment was not just a figure of speech — it was a realistic warning about how much runway McGregor has left, according to Sportskeeda.
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