The long-awaited return of Conor McGregor ended in perhaps the most disappointing fashion, as an injury brought a stop to the contest just after the one-minute mark, with Max Holloway picking up the win via TKO.

From the off, McGregor didn’t look himself, with him struggling to put weight onto his right leg before even entering the Octagon. It only got worse as the fight began, as every time he applied weight onto the leg, he seemingly buckled to the mat.

The situation has led to plenty of discourse over how the injury came to be. Many have wondered whether it was an issue from training camp, or if it came from the early kick. Doctor Brian Sutterer has now given his thoughts on the whole situation, with a detailed breakdown of what actually occurred.

What’s Been Said About Conor McGregor’s Injury

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

In the post-fight press conference, Holloway admitted it felt like McGregor was different even prior to getting into the cage, as he said: “Even with him walking to the Octagon, it didn’t seem like the same Conor.”

He acknowledged his calmness, which perhaps differed from the rowdy McGregor we have seen over the past decade.

It wasn’t just Holloway who gave his thoughts, however, as Paddy Pimblett also reacted to the situation.

After talking with the doctor, UFC president Dana White talked about the injury potentially being a torn ACL, saying: “We are assuming a blown ACL. I’m no doctor, but that’s what I figured when I saw it, and doctors think the same way too.”

This is, of course, a fresh reaction to the situation, with doctor Sutterer providing a different view.

Doctor Analyses Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 Injury

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

Sutterer almost immediately took to his YouTube channel after watching the fight, and gave his analysis on what happened to McGregor. Among his thoughts, he looked at the first exchange, and what happened to the knee of the Irishman as he tried to land an early head kick.

“As he goes and lands, that knee is going to twist and rotate. This is a compromising position that’s challenging on the knee, but we don’t see that classic tibia shift forward, pop backwards to confirm that this is 100% an ACL,” he said.

After looking at more of the exchanges, and how McGregor seemingly couldn’t put any weight on his right leg, he gave his initial reading on what the issue actually is.

There was also some consideration of how awkward McGregor looked when preparing to walk into the Octagon. Notably, he looked quite considerate about not putting pressure on the leg.

“This absolutely to me looks like somebody who was dealing with something on that right knee, and didn’t want to put their weight down on it to brace and catch their fall,” Sutterer explained.

In terms of when McGregor can look to return, Sutterer thinks that, if it is just the meniscus tear, then it may be surgical with a three-to-sixth month recovery. However, if it is more serious than that, with the ACL, it will be a much longer absence.

Erling Haaland cut a bitter figure in Miami as Norway’s World Cup dream ended at the hands of England, and the Manchester City striker made his frustration clear in the aftermath.

The quarter-final went the distance, with neither side able to find a winner inside 90 minutes. Marc Guehi, John Stones and Nico O’Reilly, all Man City teammates of the Norwegian, combined to blunt his threat for long spells in stifling conditions, and the game swung on fine margins deep into extra-time.

Haaland was hauled off at the start of the second period of extra time, having given everything to drag his country to this stage, only to watch the closing stages unfold from the bench. What followed left him fuming, and he didn’t hold back when the full-time whistle blew.

Erling Haaland Fumes Over VAR Call in England vs Norway

via REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Ten minutes into the second half, with the tie delicately balanced, Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem thought he had fired Norway into a decisive lead. The celebrations were cut short almost immediately, with VAR intervening to rule that Haaland had fouled Elliot Anderson in the build-up, wiping the goal off before the resulting corner could arrive.

The striker didn’t hold back in his assessment afterwards. “It feels a bit empty, to be honest,” he told TV 2 (per Metro):

Erling Haaland Demands Consistency

Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters

Haaland didn’t stop there, pointing to a wider pattern he feels goes against him in every match he plays. “Small moments decide things in the World Cup. Against Brazil we managed to turn it in our favour. Today, when we get the 50/50 decisions against us it will be difficult.”

He went further in a follow-up interview, questioning whether officials hold him to a different standard entirely. “So, if there is a free kick, I almost have to get a free kick in every duel – in every single match. Because I get pushed, I get pulled all the way, and I think it’s weak.”

Tottenham continue to be linked with attackers as they turn their attention to their attacking core. Spurs have put together a record spend this summer, splashing out more than £235million so far, and they are not done yet.

Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke have taken up much of the spend, and with the midfield and defence taken care of, keeping in mind centre-back Marcos Senesi was signed on a free deal, Roberto De Zerbi is now turning his attention to the attacking areas.

A winger and potentially a striker are likely to be signed, and if De Zerbi can help it, he may try to kill two birds with one stone by adding a winger who can also play in the number 9 position.

Tottenham pushing the hardest to Marcus Rashford

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Spurs have been linked with Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for much of the summer, with the England World Cup attacker on the lookout for a new club. Recent reports suggest the Red Devils are happy to welcome him back for now, but hoping to reduce their wage bill, Rashford is very much for sale at the right price, which is believed to be around £40million.

According to ASRomaLive, amid interest from Roma, Tottenham have ‘had the most concrete contact’ with Rashford at this stage as they continue to ponder a deal. Though, it is added that Rashford would prefer to play Champions League football, and Spurs cannot offer any kind of European football next season.

As well as Spurs and Roma, Napoli, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest in Rashford this summer. It’s also claimed Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have had ‘real negotiations’. Recent reports suggest a deal is not expected to take place early in the summer, particularly with the forward at the World Cup, and he could even start the new season with United.

Rashford situation remains wide open

Matthew Childs / Action images via Reuters

Speaking during the World Cup, Rashford admitted he wanted a move before the tournament. He said: “I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup, I wanted it (a move) done before. If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment. We’re fighting for something special.”

The forward had a fine season for Barcelona last term, scoring 14 and assisting as many, and it’s not impossible that the Catalan club return with fresh interest for him despite passing on the chance to sign him permanently with an option to buy.

Barca wanted to sign a new striker first, which they have now done, but it’s likely a move for another attacker will be dependent on Ferran Torres leaving. Torres has also been linked with Spurs in the last couple of days.