Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett, who beat Benoit Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds in the co-main event, was being interviewed when he saw McGregor’s fight waved off via a TV backstage.
“Oh my god, McGregor’s done already? He’s finished, the new boy is in town. I can become the face of the organisation now,” Pimblett said.
“You could call that the changing of the guard, I can be the new face of MMA now. I just got a finish in 52 seconds on the biggest card of the year.”
Some speculated that McGregor, who has one fight remaining on his UFC contract, may have carried an injury into the fight, but he posted on X to refute those claims.
“I had no injury/injuries going into the fight,” McGregor said.
“I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere.”
McGregor’s bout with Holloway was a rematch 13 years after the Irishman won by decision.
Their first meeting took place at featherweight but they stepped into the octagon as welterweights on Sunday.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev posted on X: “Conor beat Conor, congrats Max.”
