Conor McGregor is preparing to celebrate his 38th birthday by planning a return to the Octagon after suffering a right leg injury at UFC 329, which he said will require surgery.

“Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again.” McGregor wrote on Instagram on Monday. “Final fight of the contract. Praise God!”

McGregor (22-7) was attempting a comeback fight Saturday in Las Vegas but suffered an apparent knee injury seconds into the first round of a loss to Max Holloway. McGregor did not disclose the exact nature of his injury or provide a timeline for his possible return.

McGregor, who turns 38 Tuesday, said in a social media post after the fight that he was healthy entering the bout.

“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” he wrote. “I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”

Even with one fight remaining on his UFC contract, his future with the organization is unclear.

UFC appears to be on board with McGregor attempting another return and interest in his fight Saturday was considerable. CEO Dana White said he’s mulling over ideas for scheduling McGregor’s next fight and had “five ideas” for his opponent if he had beaten Holloway.

McGregor recovered from a torn ACL in 2013, which he injured in his first bout with Holloway, and broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021.

–Field Level Media