Makhachev Says He 'Feels Bad' For McGregor

Islam Makhachev reflected on Conor McGregor's injury-shortened return against Max Holloway at UFC 329.

The two men come from camps with genuine historical tension — McGregor's feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov defined an era of the sport — but Makhachev separated that from his reaction to what happened in the Octagon.

"Honestly, I feel bad. I knew Max was gonna beat him, but not fast like this in the first minute. I want to see how he fight after five years, and honestly, feel bad when this happens,” Makhachev

The sentiment is straightforward. Makhachev wanted to see what McGregor looked like after a five-year absence. Instead, the return lasted under a minute. McGregor threw a jumping kick, landed awkwardly, and his right knee buckled. Herb Dean waved it off before anyone had a real sense of whether the comeback was viable. It was an unsatisfying ending for everyone who wanted the fight to play out.

McGregor has since confirmed a torn ACL and meniscus. Dana White has put the recovery timeline at roughly a year, which pushes any return to 2027 at the earliest. McGregor has already framed that return publicly, targeting International Fight Week 2027 and a trilogy with Holloway, which he has called "the last dance." Whether that fight happens will depend on his body.

Despite the Khabib connection, Makhachev and McGregor have maintained a notably civil relationship. McGregor has been complimentary of Makhachev publicly, recently urging him not to consider retirement on the grounds that his best performances are still ahead of him. Makhachev's response has been similarly measured.

Makhachev does not have long to dwell on any of it. He defends the welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia, and Garry has been doing his part to make the buildup interesting. The Irishman recently compared his situation to McGregor's 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in 2015 — positioning himself as the heavy underdog who intends to shock the world.

Makhachev has heard the comparisons and made his own view clear earlier this week. He has watched Garry's fights, identified the patterns in his movement, and laid out a game plan that involves catching him, taking him down, and doing what he has done to everyone else.