Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the Octagon has been postponed as he announced his withdrawal from the UFC 303 main event against Michael Chandler.
The fight, scheduled for June 29, would have marked McGregor’s first bout since his leg injury during a match with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
McGregor, a former champion in two weight classes, shared the news on social media, expressing his disappointment and explaining the circumstances.”Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout,” he wrote.
“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!”
The exact details of McGregor’s injury remain undisclosed. Speculation about the fight’s potential cancellation started when a planned press conference in Dublin was abruptly canceled less than a day before it was to take place. Although there was initial hope that McGregor could recover in time, it was ultimately decided that he would not be fit to compete during International Fight Week.
Michael Chandler also shared his reaction on social media, reflecting on the risk and opportunity associated with facing McGregor.
“Conor McGregor was never the safe bet as an opponent, he was always the highest risk. Maybe the highest reward… but the biggest opportunity,” Chandler stated.
Despite the setback, Chandler emphasized the importance of embracing uncertainty and taking calculated risks in the sport.
The UFC moved swiftly to revise the UFC 303 card, ensuring fans still have a compelling event to look forward to. A light heavyweight championship rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka will now headline the event, and a featherweight bout featuring Brian Ortega versus Diego Lopes has also been added. Additionally, Anthony Smith will replace the injured Jahamal Hill to fight Carlos Ulberg in another light heavyweight match.
While the rescheduled date for McGregor vs. Chandler remains uncertain, both fighters and fans remain hopeful for a future showdown. McGregor’s continued optimism suggests that his return to the UFC, though delayed, is still very much on the horizon.
