"I Feel Bad": Islam Makhachev Weighs In on Conor McGregor’s Horrific Knee Injury at UFC 329
Despite all the bad blood between them, Islam Makhachev felt bad for Conor McGregor after watching his UFC 329 loss to Max Holloway.
Combat sports can be a cruel business, and fans witnessed one of its most heartbreaking moments at UFC 329. After spending five years away from the Octagon, former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder Conor McGregor made his long-awaited return in a marquee rematch against Max Holloway.
However, tragedy struck just 69 seconds into the opening round. McGregor threw a kick, landed awkwardly on his leg, and blew out his knee, forcing an abrupt referee stoppage. While fight fans reacted with shock, current UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev surprisingly set rivalries aside to offer genuine sympathy for the Irish superstar.
Speaking in a recent interview with Complex Sports, Makhachev admitted that watching the gruesome injury unfold felt awful, even if he initially picked Holloway to win the fight.
"Honestly, I feel bad," Makhachev said. "I know Max is going to beat him, but not fast like this, in the first minute. I wanted to see how he fights after five years, and honestly, feel bad when this happened."
Hearing those words coming from Makhachev raised plenty of eyebrows across the mixed martial arts community. The Dagestani champion is closely tied to former lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, who shared one of the bitterest rivalries in combat sports history with McGregor heading into their infamous 2018 showdown at UFC 229. Bad blood between both camps has lingered for years, making any sign of empathy between the two sides a rare sight.
From Social Media Teasing to Real Respect
Immediately following the event in Las Vegas, Makhachev actually poked fun at the outcome online. He posted "Conor beat Conor congrats Max" on X, joining the initial internet chatter surrounding the anticlimactic finish. But as details emerged confirming a severe torn ACL, the tone shifted from playful banter to mutual respect among elite fighters who know the brutal physical price of the sport.
Before the fight, McGregor had even offered unexpected praise for Makhachev, ranking his accomplishments above Nurmagomedov's and noting how much fight the current champion still has left in him.
Now, Makhachev shifts his focus toward defending his 170-pound crown against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, McGregor faces a lengthy road to recovery following surgery, aiming for a potential return in 2027.
Despite the history and bad blood, seeing a legend go down to a freak injury left a bitter taste for everyone, including the champion sitting at the top of the mountain. What do you think is next for McGregor when he finally heals up?
