Conor McGregor is struggling with the idea of not fighting at UFC 303.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was scheduled to return against Michael Chandler in Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but withdrew earlier this month after suffering a broken little toe in training. McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The UFC had to scramble to find a new main event, which is now a light heavyweight title fight rematch between champion Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Jiri Prochazka (30- 4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC). A co-main event between featherweights Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Brian Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) has also been added.
As International Fight Week festivities continue, McGregor I can’t help but feel left out.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in a lot of pain right now, watching fight week unfold. Deep mental pain. Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement, my colleagues and fans
.”
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in a lot of pain right now, watching fight week unfold. Deep mental pain. Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement, my colleagues and fans
-Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 28, 2024
McGregor promised to return, but in recent interview with Robbie Fox, UFC CEO Dana White rejected McGregor’s desire to return in the fall. When August, September, and October were suggested to White as possible return months, he responded, “None of the above.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 303.
