michael chandler will be present for UFC 303 – even if he’s not entering the Octagon.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) was scheduled to face Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in the June 29 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but the fight was canceled after McGregor suffered an undisclosed injury. The duo is expected to be rescheduled later in the year, although nothing has been confirmed.
It’s been a long wait for Chandler, and the former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger will have to be even more patient before finally stepping into the cage against McGregor. Meanwhile, Chandler plans to be in “Sin City” for UFC 303 exactly as he originally intended, even though he’s not fighting.
“UFC 303: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka, and just six days ago it was McGregor vs. Chandler, that’s my card,” Chandler said in a Instagram video. “It was my card when I signed the fight agreement, I signed my name on a 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. If you can’t be trusted, if people don’t believe you’re going to do what you say you’re going to do, the definition of integrity is doing what you say you’re going to do without failing. . So yes, I will be at UFC 303. No, I will not fight at UFC 303. But I will fulfill my commitment.”
With his post, Chandler is likely attacking McGregor, who pulled out of a fight for the first time in his UFC career. McGregor was attempting to return after a three-year layoff due to a broken leg suffered in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 303.
