Former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman Offers Sympathy to Conor McGregor

When Conor McGregor suffered a devastating right knee injury just moments into his 69-second TKO loss to Max Holloway in their rematch at UFC 329, the fallout created quite a polarizing mix of reactions from current and former fighters. However, one fighter who has sympathy for what ‘The Notorious’ is dealing with is Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight king.

Usman, a 39-year-old native of Nigeria, has been through his fair share of challenges in the world of mixed martial arts. The former champion has endured a torn hand ligament in 2022, double hernia surgery in 2019, and chronic knee issues dating back to microfracture surgery before his 2015 UFC debut. He knows firsthand the mental and physical toll that injuries can take on a fighter’s career.

Usman recently spoke with CBS Sports about the incident, expressing his concern for McGregor’s well-being. ‘I saw a lot of the backlash online and kind of how people were going at him,’ Usman said. ‘It’s a tough thing to do and I remember watching at home and going, ‘This could either go really well or really bad. There is no in between.’ I could kind of feel Conor’s spirit as he was warming up backstage. And then he comes out and that happens.’

Usman, who won his first 15 UFC bouts between 2015 and 2021, understands the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level. He made five defenses of the 170-pound title during that span, but his career took a significant turn in 2022 when a fifth-round knockout loss to Leon Edwards in their rematch kicked off a three-fight losing streak. Going through that and bouncing back in June 2025 with a unanimous decision win over welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley in his last fight has given Usman the proper perspective to what McGregor is feeling.

Usman believes that no one truly understands what McGregor is going through, unless they have been in a similar situation. ‘No one, unless you are a fighter of [McGregor’s] caliber or that magnitude, unless you have been in a situation like that, it’s very, very difficult to truly understand what he’s going through and what he’s about to go through in these dark days,’ Usman said. ‘I don’t think that is what he wanted. I think he wanted to come out and try to put on a show.’

Usman has confidence that McGregor will one day complete his intended comeback. ‘At the end of the day, what does a guy like Conor have anymore?’ Usman said. ‘It’s the glory of being able to be a combatant. It’s getting to go out there and be a warrior and be recognized as that. Unfortunately, he didn’t get that. That’s why it’s going to be dark until he’s eventually able to build his mind and his body back up to potentially step back in there. So, I feel for him big time.’

Usman will be returning to the Octagon himself on Saturday, as he headlines a UFC Fight Night card in Oklahoma City against former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in a five-round bout slated for 185 pounds. The two fighters will look to put on a show for the fans, but Usman’s focus will be on supporting McGregor during this difficult time.

As for McGregor, he has released a statement on social media saying he will seek surgery and rehab. Usman believes that with the right mindset and support, McGregor can overcome his current challenges and return to the top of the sport.

Only time will tell if McGregor will be able to bounce back from this setback, but one thing is certain – he has the support of the MMA community, and fighters like Kamaru Usman who have been through similar struggles.