Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the UFC has been delayed due to an undisclosed injury, forcing the cancellation of his scheduled main event clash against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
Conor McGregor's eagerly awaited comeback to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been put on hold following an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him from his planned main event clash against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. The much-hyped matchup was set to be McGregor's first fight since suffering a devastating leg break in July 2021.
In a statement released on Thursday, the UFC confirmed the postponement of the McGregor-Chandler bout, citing McGregor's injury as the reason. The statement did not provide any details about the nature or severity of the injury, nor did it indicate a potential timeline for McGregor's return to action.
McGregor-Chandler Bout Postponed Due to Injury, UFC 303 Main Event Altered
The cancellation of the McGregor-Chandler headliner has sent shockwaves through the MMA community, as the matchup had been widely anticipated by fans and pundits alike. McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, is one of the most popular and recognizable athletes in the world, while Chandler is a former Bellator lightweight champion known for his explosive fighting style.
The UFC 303 event is scheduled to take place on July 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the organization is expected to announce a replacement main event shortly. The card is still stacked with other intriguing matchups, including a welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Shavkat Rakhmonov and a women's strawweight bout between Angela Hill and Emily Ducote.
McGregor's injury setback is a major disappointment for fans who were eager to see him back in the octagon. The Irishman has been sidelined for over a year since suffering a gruesome leg break in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Prior to his injury, McGregor had been vocal about his desire to return to the UFC and reclaim his status as one of the top fighters in the promotion. He had expressed confidence in his recovery and had even hinted at a potential title shot against lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
It remains to be seen how McGregor's injury will impact his long-term plans. The former champion has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and it is unclear when he will be able to return to full training and competition.
For now, McGregor fans will have to be patient and hope for a speedy recovery for their beloved fighter. The UFC will provide further updates on McGregor's condition and his expected return date as they become available.
