Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the UFC has been postponed after the Irishman pulled out of UFC 303 through injury.
‘Notorious’ was scheduled to headline the June 29 event this weekend against Michael Chandler but was forced to withdraw.
McGregor was in line to enter the Octagon for the first time since he broke his leg during a defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021.
However, his return fight was scrapped earlier this month, with Alex Pereira rematching Jiri Prochazka in the headline bout instead.
Why is McGregor not fighting at UFC 303?
The 35-year-old pulled out of his fight with Chandler after suffering a broken toe in sparring.
Fears first emerged when videos of McGregor partying at his Dublin bar, the Black Forge Inn, were posted online just weeks from the fight.
Those worries grew when the UFC then cancelled a scheduled press conference between the pair in Ireland just hours before it was due to begin.
Dana White then announced that his fight is off, with McGregor since sharing several pictures of his injury to social media.
McGregor wrote on Instagram: “Man we were so f super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut-wrenching to take.
“I want that new Bugatti how I gone [sic] justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights.
“We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean. It needs a few weeks that’s it.
“I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100 per cent Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close.
“A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back. I’ve got to. I’ve got two fights left on my contract.
“I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time. Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest. Ya know yaself [sic]. But ya get me, I’ll be back.
“See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not. #McGTheRealBMF #McGregorForever #GoingNowhere”
On Saturday night, McGregor was in attendance for Bellator Champions Series 3 in Dublin, Ireland to cheer on his teammate Sinead Kavanagh and wore slippers as he’s currently unable to fit in trainers or shoes.
Despite this, the former two-weight champion claimed he’s confident he will be fit to return in either August or September.
However, UFC boss White has since poured cold water on this possibility as he awaits definite news on his star man’s return.
Will McGregor be at UFC 303?
The Dublin-born star is yet to confirm whether he will attend the event in Las Vegas this weekend to watch the action in the crowd.
His opponent Chandler has already announced that he will be at UFC 303 having been part of the original main-event.
“[I’m] still going to UFC 303, much to the surprise of the UFC and everyone behind the scenes,” Chandler said on Instagram.
“It’s UFC 303: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka, and just six days ago it was McGregor vs. Chandler,” he said. “It’s my card.
“It was my card whenever I signed the bout agreement, signed my name to a piece of paper that said I would be at UFC 303. I made a promise. I made a commitment, and that commitment still stands, because your word is your bond. Without your word, you are no good.
“The definition of integrity is doing what you say you’re going to do, without fail. So yes, I will be at UFC 303. No, I will not be fighting at UFC 303, but I’m going to see through to my commitment.”
News Summary:
- Why is Conor McGregor not fighting at UFC 303? Notorious forced out of Michael Chandler bout after ‘slight lapse in concentration’
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