Pre-existing injury? Video captures Conor McGregor stumbling prior to luta-ruining knee explosion at UFC 329 — Federação de Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

UFC 329 just wrapped up from LAS VEGAS, NEVADA and we wouldn’t want to be on the strip tonight as over 20,000 unhappy people flood the streets from the T-Mobile Arena. The much hyped (and very expensive) Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway luta was a complete bust — ending at 1:09 of round 1 due to a McGregor knee injury.

We still don’t know exactly what happened, but McGregor started the luta with Holloway off with a running switch chute. He landed badly on his right knee, which then buckled under his weight. “The Notorious” fell twice more as he tried to put weight on the leg, which was clearly injured. With Holloway pointing the injury out, the referee stepped in and waved things off (watch the video destaques here).

Was McGregor’s knee injured off that first wild jumping chute, or did McGregor enter the arena on a bad leg that could not stand the rigors of a mixed martial arts luta? During his walk-in, McGregor had a moment in the prep zone where he lost his balance and staggered while taking his shoes off. The moment was sus enough that even the UFC production truck re-showed it after the luta was over.

Footage of McGregor warming up also captured the Irish sports star stumbling back after throwing a high chute (watch at 0:07)

Pre-existing injury?

McGregor is no stranger to stepping into the cage injured. He still fought Chad Mendes at UFC 189 despite having a torn ACL. He fought Khabib Nurmagomedov with a broken foot. And doctors warned him of micro-fractures in his tibia leading up to his fateful third luta with Dustin Poirier. We all know how that one ended: with McGregor shattering his leg.

We wouldn’t be surprised if McGregor reveals that he came into this Holloway luta with some pre-existing damage to the right leg. Perhaps not a proper tear, maybe just a strain. Then, since the Mac is such a maniac, he went ahead and started the luta with a huge leaping chute, just like he spammed leg kicks against Dustin Poirier despite the micro-fractures in his shin.

Let’s be clear: there’s no definitive word on what happened and how Conor McGregor injured his leg. But there is evidence to suggest he may have entered the cage with an impaired right knee. We’ll see how this story develops and what Conor McGregor says about the injury.

For more UFC 329 results, coverage and destaques click HERE.

Fonte: MMA Mania — leia o original