Gina Carano has seemingly launched a defense of Conor McGregor following UFC 329.
The Irishman’s first fight in five years ended in a 69-second TKO loss to Max Holloway on Saturday night.
Conor McGregor injured his knee during the opening moments before disappointed fans vented their frustration on social media.
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What’s next for Conor McGregor after UFC 329?
‘Notorious’ suffered a serious knee injury moments into his comeback fight against Max Holloway.
What did Gina Carano say about UFC 329?
Gina Carano shared Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘Man in the Arena’ quote to Instagram on Sunday.
The WMMA pioneer added a lengthy caption that shut down speculation about Conor McGregor‘s comeback being rigged.
“’It’s rigged!’ ‘It’s fake! ‘The fighter threw the fight for money or fame,’” Carano began.
“You know how much trouble you get in if anything is off or the fight is rigged in a professional fight, especially ones where huge money is involved? The FBI is all over this sport presently, if you’ve been paying attention. If someone’s going to rig a fight, 2026 would be the absolute dumbest time to do that.
“It’s just REAL. And real outcomes aren’t always fun. The stakes wouldn’t be so high and the sport so amazing if we all got the storybook ending we think we want. That’s what makes this sport great: the highs, the lows, and the unknowns.
“Any fighter who gives it their all, steps into a fight, turns their life around, to become the best version of themselves and to inspire others has my full respect.
“It’s one of the hardest sports in the world and the most vulnerable. And to reach career heights and then come back after a 5, 10, or 17-year layoff takes balls most people don’t even know exist, especially when it’s not something you have to do but something you choose to do.
“You wonder, ‘God, why did it have to go that way after all the sacrifice and hard work?!’ But ultimately His will be done. Then you live, you learn, and you move forward.
“The journey isn’t over, in a way it’s a whole new beginning. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying. Respect.”
Gina Carano faced similar accusations after her comeback
Gina Carano returned from 17 years in retirement to fight Ronda Rousey earlier this year.
‘Rowdy’ won in such a one-sided fight that some people couldn’t believe what they witnessed live on Netflix.
17 seconds was all it took for Rousey to lock up her signature armbar and get the tap from Carano, whose post-UFC 329 upload seems to be defending herself as much as Conor McGregor.
It’s currently unclear if Carano will return to the cage after her disappointingly quick fight with the former UFC bantamweight champion.
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