'Shock ending after receiving 45.1 billion won' McGregor's 'return after five years' ended in just 69 seconds... Holloway eager for a third bout with an 'absurd victory' [UFC 329]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I will end it within 10 seconds," Conor McGregor (37, Ireland) had boldly promised, but his return after five years ended in a humiliating defeat that bruised his pride.

On the 12th (Korean time), at 'UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2' held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, McGregor suffered a TKO loss against Max Holloway (34, USA) in just 1 minute and 9 seconds of the first round.

The result was absurd. The outcome was decided without anyone exerting any effort. Even for Holloway, it was not a match he could simply celebrate.

Expectations soared as McGregor's return opponent was determined to be Holloway, the former UFC Featherweight and BMF (Baddest Man on the Planet) champion known as 'Blessed,' while McGregor is the former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight double champion known as 'The Notorious.'

They first clashed in 2013 when both were rookies, with McGregor winning by unanimous decision. This rematch came 13 years later. Although both McGregor (22 wins, 6 losses) and Holloway (27 wins, 9 losses) are past their prime, their names alone were enough to excite combat sports fans.

The pre-fight trash talk following the weigh-ins also fueled expectations. Holloway declared, "I am too vicious and too ruthless," adding, "If McGregor is a missile, I am a nuclear bomb," confidently predicting victory. McGregor greeted the fans who came to support him and shouted, "Expect a blockbuster from me tomorrow."

Especially during the pre-fight press conference, McGregor boasted, "I can destroy Max in 10 seconds," responding to Holloway's remarks about wanting a third bout by saying, "That is rude. He only thinks about financial gain and has not realized what kind of risk he is putting himself in." He further added, "I will retire Holloway this Sunday" and firmly stated, "There will be no third fight for money."

Holloway, known as the master of long fights boasting the longest UFC match time (8 hours, 52 minutes, 43 seconds), vowed to win after a grueling battle, saying, "I hope McGregor knows how to swim. I will take him into deep water," and added, "It will be a very long night for McGregor."

McGregor retorted, "If we go into deep water, Holloway will suffer a serious concussion" and warned, "In the first fight, you left the arena on a wheelchair," but the absurd match result only increased his embarrassment.

From the moment he appeared, McGregor seemed to have some discomfort in his leg. As soon as the fight began, he launched a kick toward Holloway, but the attack failed. Instead, McGregor lost his balance and fell. He got up again to regain his stance, but while throwing punches, he lost his balance once more.

Holloway also sensed that McGregor's condition was not normal. As a precaution, he attempted one low kick, and when McGregor could not resist and fell, Holloway refrained from attacking and showed the referee a puzzled expression. Eventually, the referee called off the match.

According to foreign media, it is expected that McGregor will receive an amount far exceeding $30 million (approximately 45.1 billion won) from this bout. While UFC has not officially disclosed their purses, McGregor's earnings can be estimated from previous fights. He received $33 million (approximately 49.6 billion won) in his 2021 match against Dustin Poirier and secured a guaranteed purse of $30 million with a maximum potential of $100 million (approximately 150.3 billion won) in his 2017 boxing match against the undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather. Stepping into the octagon after receiving at least 45.1 billion won, he ended with an absurd result, leaving both the watching fans and McGregor himself with no choice but to feel regret.

Holloway said in his victory interview, "Let's have a third fight," while McGregor left the arena with a face full of regret.

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*This content was translated by AI.