Dominick Cruz has spent enough time in rehab to read an injury report properly. His verdict on Conor McGregor’s knee is more encouraging than most.
McGregor blew out his right knee 69 seconds into his UFC 329 loss to Max Holloway and has since confirmed the damage as an ACL and meniscus tear. Plenty of observers see it as the end for the 38-year-old. Cruz, whose own career was repeatedly derailed by serious injuries, isn’t among them.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the analyst said the specific injury matters a great deal.
I have nothing but positive energy to put toward him in his healing. An ACL, meniscus tear is what I heard it is, and I knew in my gut it was an ACL. You just don’t know to the extent. Sometimes you can tear the ACL and everything else, but he just tore a meniscus and ACL, which is very repairable.
The good news, in his view, is what McGregor didn’t tear.
The good news is because it’s an ACL and meniscus – meniscus, that doesn’t stop you. If it was MCL, he’d be stuck for a little while, like frozen for I think two to three months before you can even start bending the leg. He should be able to start moving that leg right away, which will really quicken the healing process for him.
That tracks with McGregor’s own updates. He’s said he’s already walking without a crutch, has done leg extensions on a machine without issue, and is aiming to return by next summer.
