Conor McGregor and the Real Winners and Losers from UFC 329

Conor McGregor's return at UFC 329 lasted just 1:09 - most of which was spent with Max Holloway half-heartedly hitting away at the Irishman, who appeared to rupture his own leg with a failed kick.

It was a sour end to a brilliant night that saw Paddy Pimblett, Brandon Royval and others put on memorable performances in front of a packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Let's (carefully) kick into the winners and losers of the night…

Winner: Light Heavyweight Bobby

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Nikita Krylov's head bobbled like one of those ballistic dummies on Deadliest Warrior. Robert Whittaker served as the weapons expert, pummelling his first UFC opponent at 205 pounds with no drop in speed or precision after adding the extra weight.

Any victory when moving up in size should be celebrated, but there are caveats to Whittaker's achievement in Vegas. 

He took out a dangerous opponent while maintaining the traits that have fuelled his career. That's a huge plus. 

However, he also looked heavy, and possibly a little out of shape. That he separated Krylov's jaw from its socket is a sign of a man who has a ton of potential in this division. A little refining, and he could offer competition to the killers at the top.

"This is my home now," Whittaker told the crowd after the fight. He's certainly through the door.

Loser: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

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As sure as night turning to day, Terrance McKinney's fight ended in round one at the T-Mobile Arena. 

He laid it on King Green, both on the feet and with some sloppy groundwork, but he blew himself out with those full-hearted movements that happen so quickly it looks like a glitch in the matrix. McKinney doesn't know how to throw anything under 100 percent. It came back to haunt him when a resilient Green flipped the script.

In all honesty, it seemed like McKinney went down too easily. Maybe it was the rough weight cut, or the culmination of his efforts to put Green away. McKinney appeared to have a big win in the bag, then just folded when pressure came back for the first time.

Green's winning streak now extends to four, a run he last managed in 2014. That looked like an unlikely scenario until McKinney's knees buckled in the last few seconds of the round.

Winner: Survival Instincts

"That's a future champion, right there."

Strong words from Brandon Royval, who put on a stunning performance to get through the whirlwind that is Lone'er Kavanagh. His comment was one of respect, the result of nearly three rounds defined by pure chaos.

Royval started in great control, utilising his length to get a good look at Kavanagh, whose bouncing hair almost acted as a tell before each attack. "Raw Dawg" had no issues until the second round, when he had to wade through deep waters after the Englishman caught him with a great shot.

The difference between the two fighters showed right at this moment. Kavanagh tried to pounce, wildly throwing ground-and-pound that barely landed. Royval battled through and seemed to realise that his advantage on the mat was greater than he had anticipated.

This came to fruition in the third, when Kavanagh played into Royval's hands by trying to scrap too hard from the floor. He couldn't defend the clutches of Royval, whose last submission win came four years ago, and instead moved into the rear-naked choke position that would end the fight.

Royval's survival instincts got him through, while Lone'er's didn't. Kavanagh needs to read fights better if he's to deliver on his opponent's words.

Winner: Making a Statement

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Four professional MMA fights, four wins for Gable Steveson.

Real pressure followed the Olympic gold medallist into his UFC debut on Saturday night. He responded by delivering a brutal knockout over Elisha Ellison. Admittedly, Ellison isn't good enough to fight at this level, but he was the perfect opponent for Steveson to show the world what he's capable of.

Steveson unloaded a barrage of knees and punches on his opponent, who dropped to the floor after the cumulative impact took its toll. He was calm, measured, and unphased on the biggest night of his MMA career so far, even if he appeared hittable.

A highlight win on your Octagon debut is nothing to sniff at. The American's next opponent will feel there's areas to exploit, so the right bookings are needed if he's to work his way into higher-profile fights unblemished.

For now, it's objective completed and a statement made.

Loser: Any Lingering Paddy Pimblett Doubters

Holy hell, Paddy Pimblett.

The Baddy was under so much pressure after getting beaten to a pulp by Justin Gaethje in January. Stepping into the cage with Benoit Saint-Denis seemed a gutsy move, with many wondering how much punishment he might have to take after that tough night just a few months ago.

If you were a doubter or worried about Paddy's future prospects, you needn't be. 

Saint Denis threw a high kick and shot in for the takedown almost immediately. Just like Paddy said he would in the lead-up to the fight. 

The Scouser ended up with both of his legs on his Saint-Denis's back, a terrifying guillotine locked in, and his opponent going for a snooze in front of millions. It took just 52 seconds. Unbelievable.

Loser: Conor McGregor's UFC Future

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It took one jumping kick, and a couple of seconds, for Conor McGregor's UFC return to crumble into dust. His left leg snapped so viciously against Dustin Poirier in last fight five years ago; this time, it was his right leg. McGregor slipped once, twice, three times, and then it was called off.

After all the hype, and all the excitement, McGregor proved he never needs to come back. As much as Holloway wants the trilogy fight, it would be ridiculous if it happens. Paying MMA fans deserve better.

Everyone involved should push for this to be the end of Conor's career in a conclusion so obvious you didn't need to be Mystic Mac to see it coming.