Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 has been canceled, according to UFC president Dana White. The sudden withdrawal of McGregor due to injury has left fans disappointed and raised questions about the future of this matchup. This marks the first time in McGregor’s UFC career that he has pulled out of a fight, adding a new chapter to his already storied career.
With McGregor out of the main event, the spotlight now shifts to a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka. White also revealed two additional fights added to the card: Diego Lopes versus Brian Ortega in the co-main event and Carlos Ulberg against Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight bout. The event, which was on track to set a UFC record with a live gate of over $20 million, has undergone significant changes with McGregor’s absence.
McGregor, a former featherweight and lightweight champion, has faced challenges in recent fights. After suffering a broken leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, McGregor has struggled to regain his previous form. With a record of 1-3 in his last four appearances, including losses to Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor’s return to the Octagon was highly anticipated before his recent injury setback.
The matchup between McGregor and Chandler has been a recurring storyline in the UFC. Chandler, a former Bellator MMA champion, had been targeting McGregor for a fight since 2022. The announcement of them coaching against each other on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series in early 2023 generated significant buzz. However, due to various reasons, the fight date was only finalized earlier this year, leading to the disappointment of fans eagerly awaiting this clash.
The lead-up to McGregor’s fight with Chandler was not without controversy. The UFC’s former drug testing partner, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), claimed that McGregor’s circumstances led to the dissolution of their UFC program. Allegations of McGregor being granted exemptions from testing requirements following his leg injury raised concerns and prompted a public apology demand from UFC’s chief business officer.
McGregor had promised a triumphant return to the Octagon, calling it the “Greatest Comeback in Sports History” in a tweet. The scheduled news conference with McGregor and Chandler in Dublin was canceled just hours before it was supposed to take place, leaving fans and pundits speculating on the status of their fight. As McGregor aims to recover from his injury, the future of his comeback remains uncertain.
Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from the UFC 303 main event has disrupted the event’s lineup and left fans wondering about the next steps in his career. With injuries, controversies, and canceled events, McGregor’s journey back to the top of the UFC has hit another roadblock. As the UFC adjusts to the new circumstances, the anticipation for McGregor’s return and potential matchups continues to build.
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