Conor McGregor posts mocking message after Max Holloway’s UFC 222 withdrawal

Conor McGregor’s new nickname may as well be Mr. Rub Salt in the Wound.

Just hours after UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was forced to pull out of his UFC 222 title defense against Frankie Edgar on Saturday due to a leg injury, McGregor fired an extra shot at his former foe over social media, mocking Holloway with an Instagram photo from the Irishman’s 2013 decision win over “Blessed.” In the photo, McGregor is palming Holloway’s face, with the image’s caption reading, “When there is no referee to save you.”

McGregor, the UFC’s reigning lightweight champion, hasn’t competed in MMA since becoming the first simultaneous two-division champion with his second-round knockout over Eddie Alvarez in November 2016. Holloway, on the other hand, has won an unprecedented 12 straight fights inside the Octagon since his loss to “The Notorious”, capturing the featherweight title and twice defeating legendary champion Jose Aldo.

McGregor’s weekend barbs didn’t go unnoticed though.

Holloway fired back later Saturday night in true Holloway fashion, harkening back to his infamous cupcake analogy with a shamrock-themed jab.

Update: Holloway recently threw another social jab in McGregor’s direction.