Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the Octagon will have to wait. UFC President Dana White announced on Thursday that McGregor, who was set to face Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29, has been forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained during training camp. The nature of McGregor's injury was not disclosed in the brief social media video.
White, however, ensured fans that UFC 303 will still feature an electrifying main event. Replacing McGregor vs. Chandler, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will now take on Jiri Prochazka in what promises to be a thrilling showdown during International Fight Week.
Speculation about McGregor's status began to swirl when a press conference scheduled for June 3 to promote the bout was abruptly canceled. The UFC released a statement on the morning of the event, providing no details but confirming that the press conference would not take place. This fueled rumors that something was amiss, which were confirmed by White’s announcement.
McGregor was poised to make his first appearance in the Octagon since his July 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, where he suffered a TKO loss due to a broken tibia. This injury sidelined the Irish superstar for a significant period, delaying his comeback.
McGregor's career since his historic victory over Eddie Alvarez in November 2016, where he became the first UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously, has been marked by infrequent appearances and mixed results. In the nearly eight years since that triumph, McGregor has fought just four times in the UFC. Three of those fights ended in stoppage losses, including a submission defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in one of the most high-profile bouts in UFC history. His lone victory in this period was a swift TKO win over Donald Cerrone, who was in the midst of a career-ending losing streak.
Adding to his tumultuous recent years, McGregor also ventured into boxing, facing Floyd Mayweather in a lucrative but ultimately unsuccessful bout in February 2017, where he was stopped by TKO.
The build-up to the fight with Chandler included the two serving as opposing coaches on the 31st season of "The Ultimate Fighter," adding another layer of anticipation for their showdown. Fans were eager to see how McGregor, known for his brash personality and striking prowess, would fare against Chandler, a formidable and explosive competitor in his own right.
Despite the setback, UFC 303's new main event featuring Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka promises to deliver fireworks. Pereira, a knockout artist with a 15-1 record, faces Prochazka, a dynamic and unorthodox fighter known for his thrilling style. This clash of titans at light heavyweight ensures that the event remains a must-watch for MMA enthusiasts.
As McGregor focuses on his recovery, the UFC community will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his progress, hoping for his eventual return to the cage. Meanwhile, Pereira vs. Prochazka is set to light up International Fight Week, continuing the tradition of high-stakes, high-drama main events that define the UFC.