Joe Rogan has slammed Conor McGregor for what he described as a 'crazy' decision that ended his UFC comeback in just over a minute. The renowned podcast host and UFC commentator expressed disbelief at the Irish fighter's choice to attempt a flying left roundhouse kick at the opening bell of his bout with Max Holloway at UFC 329.

McGregor, who had not fought in the octagon for nearly five years, injured his right knee on the very first move of the fight. The high-risk kick landed awkwardly, leaving the former dual-weight champion unable to continue. Referee Mike Beltran waved off the fight after 69 seconds, with Holloway himself urging the official to stop the contest as McGregor stumbled to the canvas multiple times.

Joe Rogan's criticism

Reviewing the incident during the UFC broadcast, Rogan did not hold back. 'He just tried a crazy move. He tried to jump and roundhouse kick,' Rogan said. 'When you're in that position, if you don’t land in a good way, with a supporting leg, you put so much pressure on that knee. He landed with his knee in the worst position.'

Rogan added, 'He blew his ACL out with the very first move that he did. It sucks, but it's just, you don't do that.' The comment highlighted Rogan's frustration with McGregor's reckless approach after such a long layoff. UFC CEO Dana White later confirmed that doctors expect McGregor has sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a serious knee injury that typically requires surgery and months of rehabilitation.

Daniel Cormier's perspective

Fellow commentator and former UFC champion Daniel Cormier offered additional insight, linking McGregor's injury to his extended absence from the sport. 'When you've been away from that for so long, and you come back in there, it's like you’re shot out of a cannon,' Cormier explained. 'So, you see these guys that have been gone for a long time do things that doesn't make sense. And I think that's what happened to Conor.'

Cormier's assessment suggests that McGregor's eagerness to make an explosive return may have clouded his judgment. The Irish superstar had not fought since his 2020 TKO loss to Dustin Poirier, and his return was highly anticipated. However, the hype quickly turned to dismay as McGregor's comeback lasted less than two minutes.

Fan reactions and viral moments

The incident also sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans noticing Rogan's response when play-by-play commentator Jon Anik suggested that McGregor might attempt another rebuild. A video clip showed Rogan smirking and scrunching his face, leading many viewers to interpret his expression as disbelief or resignation. 'Joe Rogan's face after Jon Anik said McGregor might have another comeback,' one fan posted on X, accompanied by a crying emoji. Another commented, 'Joe Rogan knows it’s overrrrr man.'

The viral moment underscored the general sentiment that McGregor's injury may mark the end of his UFC career at the highest level. Despite his immense popularity and past achievements, the path back to title contention now seems fraught with uncertainty.

Background on McGregor's career

Conor McGregor, 35, first burst onto the UFC scene in 2013 and quickly became a global phenomenon. He became the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously, capturing the featherweight and lightweight championships in 2015 and 2016. His knockout of José Aldo in 13 seconds remains one of the most iconic moments in mixed martial arts history.

However, McGregor's career has been plagued by inactivity and legal issues in recent years. After losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, he took a hiatus before returning to face Donald Cerrone in 2020, winning in 40 seconds. Subsequent losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021, including a broken leg in their third fight, further derailed his momentum. His latest injury adds to a growing list of physical setbacks.

The flying roundhouse kick attempt that caused the ACL tear was reminiscent of McGregor's earlier aggressiveness, but it also highlighted the dangers of ring rust. Many analysts have pointed out that such a move is highly unconventional for the opening seconds of a fight, especially against a seasoned opponent like Max Holloway.

Max Holloway's role

Max Holloway, the former featherweight champion, was scheduled to face McGregor in a highly anticipated matchup. Holloway, known for his durability and striking volume, quickly realized something was wrong when McGregor collapsed after the kick. Rather than pressing the attack, Holloway showed sportsmanship by motioning to the referee to stop the fight. In the immediate aftermath, Holloway expressed disappointment that the fight ended that way but acknowledged he did not want to cause further harm.

Holloway's reaction was widely praised, but it also raised questions about whether McGregor should have been cleared to fight given his extended time away from competition. The California State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the event, had approved McGregor's medical clearance, but the incident has reignited debates about fighter safety and return protocols.

Conor McGregor's response and future plans

Despite the crushing defeat, McGregor has vowed to continue. On Instagram, he wrote: 'Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract. Please God! I trust in You Lord! Show me Your way. Thank You God.' The post suggests that McGregor intends to undergo surgery, rehabilitate, and fulfill the remaining fight on his UFC contract before potentially negotiating a new deal.

However, given his age, injury history, and the length of time needed to recover from an ACL tear, many experts doubt whether he can return to elite form. McGregor has not won a fight since 2020, and his last victory over a top contender was in 2016. The road back is steep, and the UFC may be reluctant to schedule him immediately after surgery.

Dana White has not commented on McGregor's future beyond acknowledging the severity of the injury. The UFC has a deep roster of contenders at lightweight and welterweight, making it increasingly difficult for McGregor to leapfrog the competition without a solid performance.

Historical context of similar injuries

ACL tears are not uncommon in MMA, but they are particularly debilitating. Fighters such as Dominick Cruz, Cain Velasquez, and Frank Mir have recovered from ACL injuries, though most required extensive layoffs. Cruz, for instance, was out for over two years before returning to win the bantamweight title. Velasquez never fully regained his championship form after his injury.

For McGregor, the surgery is likely to sideline him for at least six to nine months, meaning a potential return could come in late 2025 or early 2026. By then, he will be 37 or 38 years old, an age at which many fighters begin to decline. The combination of ring rust, injury recovery, and age may prove insurmountable.

Joe Rogan's criticism, while harsh, reflects a broader understanding among MMA insiders that McGregor's decision was a product of both desperation and overconfidence. Rogan, a longtime martial artist and commentator, has seen many fighters make mistakes under pressure, but few have been as costly as this one.

In the end, the fight that was supposed to be McGregor's grand return turned into a cautionary tale. The image of McGregor hobbling around the octagon, unable to throw a single effective strike, will be hard to forget. Whether he can write a final chapter of redemption remains to be seen, but for now, the consensus is clear: that first move was a mistake that may have ended an era.

Source: MSN News