Conor McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, has revealed the truth about his knee injury.

McGregor suffered an ignominious defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday. With just 69 seconds on the clock, the fight had to be stopped after the Irishman suffered a right knee injury following a kick he threw in the opening seconds of the fight.

UFC 329 marked an end to the Irishman’s five-year absence from fighting since he suffered a broken left knee against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. There was much anticipation for the event, but ultimately it was an anticlimax.

With McGregor suffering the injury so early into the bout, speculation mounted that it may have been pre-existing. That rumour was shot down by the fighter on social media, where he stated “this came out of nowhere.” Coach Kavanagh has since reiterated that point with a post of his own.

John Kavanagh Reveals All About Conor McGregor’s Knee

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Writing on Facebook, the coach said: “Devastated. That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warm-up. Never an issue.

The full extent of the injury has not been revealed, but UFC CEO Dana White said he and doctors believe it might be a torn ACL, something which he suffered in 2013. Recovery time for such an injury can be anywhere between six and 12 months, and with the Irishman 37 years old, it puts doubt over whether we will ever see him return to the cage again.

Dana White & Conor McGregor React to Knee Injury

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

White also said that he does not believe the injury was a pre-existing one, highlighting his actions in the build-up to the press conference and weigh-in, including a moment where he ran up on Holloway during a face-off.

“If there was a pre-existing injury, somebody would have noticed,” White said.

While there are many who believe this injury will be fatal to his UFC career, the Dublin-born fighter can never be ruled out.

“I was so sharp and so ready for ​this fight ⁠I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense,” McGregor posted on his X account.

UFC 329 was filled with drama and disappointment as the Octagon saw the return of Conor McGregor. Just as shocking as some of the action in the cage, however, is the financials of the stars after the event’s salaries have been released.

With McGregor returning to the cage for the first time in five years, facing off against Max Holloway, there was more than mere money on the mind.

Heading into the fight, anticipation could not have been higher. The UFC world was seeing the fated return of one of its all-time legends. The pair traded verbal blows in the build-up, with McGregor even snatching Holloway’s sunglasses off his head, adding fuel to a fire that was already burning bright.

Conor McGregor’s Return Ends in Injury Heartbreak

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

Due to the Irishman’s recent absence from the sport, Holloway entered the fight as the favourite. With the American in good form and good shape, it was always going to be an uphill challenge for McGregor to compete.

However, hope was high, and the hype was higher, as fans tuned in to see McGregor’s comeback. Unfortunately, that hype met an anticlimactic end. In the first round, after just 69 seconds, McGregor suffered a TKO defeat after an injury to his knee.

Looking to make a fast start, the Irishman tried to land a leaping kick and ended up blowing out his knee. He suffered what could possibly be a torn ACL, which can take nine to 18 months to recover from. Talks of a trilogy fight had been mentioned, but with McGregor now 37 years old, he may never fight again.

He described the situation as ‘hell‘, but vowed a return.

Paddy Pimblett Destroys Benoit Saint Denis

Elsewhere on the card, Paddy Pimblett made a title claim with victory over Benoit Saint Denis. While McGregor’s fight was over all too soon, Pimblett’s fight ended even earlier.

With just 52 seconds on the clock, the Englishman had Saint Denis in a guillotine choke. The Frenchman, though, refused to tap out and so the referee had to intervene as he became unconscious.

It was the 31-year-old’s first fight since losing to Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in January, with Pimblett calling for a rematch in the aftermath of his victory.

UFC 329 Fighter Earnings & Pay

Despite losing the fight after just 69 seconds, McGregor is estimated to have pocketed a staggering $32,000,000. His return was always going to come with eye-watering sums, but even so, he has earned unprecedented amounts of money from the fight.

His opponent, meanwhile, took home a measly $5,600,000 in comparison, over five times less than what McGregor took home with him.

Pimblett took home the third-highest sum of the night with a very healthy $1,850,000 to go along with his victory. Saint Denis may have left the cage with a loss, but he took $450,000 with him.

On the other end of the scale, there is John Garza, the 23-year-old debutant who suffered defeat and earned the title of the lowest earner of the night after he took home just $12,000.

Aston Villa scouts have been keeping a close eye on the World Cup and have stepped up their interest in a breakout star.

Villa return to the UEFA Champions League next season and thus want to ensure Unai Emery has a squad ready to compete on all fronts. That has resulted in the scouting team travelling to North America.

Several players have caught the eye during the World Cup and put their names in the shop window. That includes Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi, whom the Villans are reportedly finalising a deal to sign from Freiburg, per The Athletic.

Aston Villa Eyeing Mexico Star Quinones

Manzambi could be followed to Villa Park by Mexico attacker Julian Quinones. A report from Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sports claims that Villa’s management “closely observed” the 29-year-old.

Quinones enjoyed a fine campaign for the co-hosts, scoring four goals and providing one assist in five games. That included a thumping finish in his nation’s 3-2 loss to England in the Round of 16.

Villa have reportedly made inquiries with the Al-Qadsiah forward’s entourage to assess whether a deal is possible. Contacts have “recently intensified”, and this could lead to an official offer being made.

Quinones is an experienced frontman, although he’s never played his football in Europe. He managed a superb tally of 33 goals in 31 Saudi Pro League games last season.

Villa Set For Frontline Overhaul

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It’s clear that Emery wants at least one new attacker signed ahead of next season. The Mexican is the latest name to be added to their growing shortlist.

The Villans reportedly hold an interest in Barcelona’s Ferran Torres, whose days at Camp Nou look numbered. The Spaniard boasts a more versatile profile than Quinones and is still only 26.

There has been talk of Villa selling one of their star players to meet UEFA’s spending rules. One name who is linked with a move away is Ollie Watkins, who is reportedly on Turkish giants Fenerbahce’s radar, per the Daily Mail.

If the English striker were to move on, it could pave the way for Quinones to replace him. For now, he is busy representing England at the World Cup and any potential exit will come once the tournament concludes.