Conor McGregor, the legendary Irish mixed martial arts star, revealed on Friday that a broken toe forced the postponement of his highly anticipated comeback fight against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas. The 35-year-old fighter, who has been sidelined since suffering a leg break in his July 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier, was scheduled to headline UFC 303 on June 29.
McGregor had previously announced his withdrawal from the fight due to an undisclosed injury. Now, he has revealed the cause, attributing it to an unfortunate incident during training. Without wearing full protective gear, McGregor sustained the injury while hitting his toe against an elbow, resulting in a clean break.
In a heartfelt post on his official Instagram account, McGregor described the injury as “gut-wrenching to take.” He explained his decision to postpone the fight, stating, “I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100 percent Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close.”
He acknowledged a “lapse in concentration” that led to the injury, emphasizing his commitment to a full recovery and his return to the octagon.
In light of McGregor’s withdrawal, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will now defend his title against Jiri Prochazka in the new main event at UFC 303.
McGregor’s return was highly anticipated, as he is considered one of the most popular and recognizable figures in the UFC, having held both the featherweight and lightweight titles. He had recently been involved in a public dispute with the Irish government over its immigration policy, generating significant media attention.
Now, all eyes turn to McGregor’s recovery and his next fight, which he assures fans will be a “100 percent Conor McGregor” performance.
