UFC 303: 'Fans And Opponent Deserve Me At My Best' - McGregor Reveals Reason For Withdrawal From Chandler Fight

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Former UFC double champions Conor McGregor revealed injury as the reason behind his withdrawal from UFC 303 headliner just weeks ahead of his much-awaited showdown against Michael Chandler during the UFC International Fight Week 2024.

McGregor, who last appeared in the Octagon in July 2021 when he lost via TKO to Dustin Poirier, was all set to make his return in an already long over due fight against Chandler on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

But the former featherweight and lightweight champion announced his withdrawal from the fight, leading to the UFC President Dana White booking a rematch between light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka as the headliner of UFC 303.

On Saturday (June 15), the Irishman said an injury sustained while preparing for his fight against Chandler led him to postpone the bout, but he still wants the fight to happen. The announcement came after a press conference for the event was called off by UFC this month.

"Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout," McGregor said in an Instagram post. "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!"

McGregor has not been in action since his TKO loss to Poirier in July 2021, in which he sustained fractures to his left tibia and fibula that required surgery. He had recovered well to make himself available for the fight against Chandler.

In 2022, the former double champion was named as a coach for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 31 against Team Chandler with the duo destined to collide once the season ended, but the fans may have to wait even further to see the pair clash in the Octagon.