Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon has been delayed due to an injury, preventing his anticipated lightweight fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
The UFC and McGregor confirmed the news on social media. UFC CEO Dana White announced the postponement of McGregor’s comeback fight late Thursday night, revealing that McGregor had sustained an unspecified injury ahead of their scheduled June 29 bout. McGregor, known for his resilience and determination, posted an optimistic message on Instagram, promising his fans a strong comeback.
Despite the setback, McGregor remains positive about his recovery and future in MMA. The 35-year-old fighter assured his followers that he would return to the octagon soon. On Instagram, McGregor said, “Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout. I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me.
“The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team. My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there! Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”
A last-minute setback for UFC 303 due to conor mcgregor injury
The main event between McGregor and Chandler, scheduled for June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was cancelled due to McGregor’s injury sustained during training. This unexpected withdrawal left the UFC scrambling to find a replacement for the highly anticipated bout.
In a surprising development, the light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka was elevated to the main event for UFC 303. This adjustment was necessary to save the event after McGregor’s withdrawal. The card also saw another change with Jamahal Hill pulling out from his co-main bout.
In his Instagram post, McGregor expressed his determination to overcome the injury and return to competition. He reassured fans that they would see him back in the UFC soon, continuing his journey in the sport he loves.
Michael Chandler’s Reaction to cancellation
Michael Chandler, McGregor’s scheduled opponent, expressed his disappointment on social media. He shared his frustration over the cancellation but remained hopeful about a future fight with McGregor.
McGregor’s fans eagerly await updates on his recovery. Since his leg injury in 2021, McGregor has been working hard to return to top form. His resilience and dedication have kept his supporters hopeful for his eventual comeback. In the meantime, McGregor remains a prominent figure in the UFC community. He recently used his social media platform to promote Hiatus Tequila, demonstrating his ability to stay connected with fans even when not actively competing.
Discussions are already underway to reschedule the McGregor vs Chandler fight. Reports from Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour suggest that August or September could be potential dates for the rescheduled bout. Fans remain optimistic about seeing this highly anticipated showdown later in the year.
McGregor’s recent fight history
McGregor has not competed since suffering a leg break in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Known as “The Notorious,” McGregor became the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division titleholder with a knockout of Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November 2016.
Over the past eight years, the 35-year-old has secured only one victory—a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020. During this time, he has also experienced two TKO losses to Dustin Poirier, a submission defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov, and a stoppage loss to Floyd Mayweather in his professional boxing debut.
Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 is a significant blow to the event, but the UFC has made necessary adjustments to keep the excitement alive. McGregor’s determination to recover and return to the octagon is a testament to his enduring spirit and passion for the sport. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting his return and the thrilling fights that lie ahead.
