We found out earlier this week that the UFC 303 showcase fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler would no longer be taking place. McGregor suffered an injury, forcing the event to be postponed. This put the ultimate return of McGregor in question as this event was a highly anticipated one.
McGregor suffered a broken leg in 2021 and hasn’t returned to the octagon since. His return has been followed closely and many were hyped when this match was first announced.
The Irish superstar has been recovering from the injury for years and this was supposed to be his time to return to action. However, it wasn’t meant to be. The injury isn’t supposed to be serious and McGregor’s return will just have to come later than expected.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
McGregor took to social media to reflect on the injury and postponement of the fight with Chandler.
“Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout. I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me,” McGregor wrote. “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! Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”
The hype for this event has been like no other that we’ve seen, with McGregor drawing in massive viewership. The UFC was looking forward to this event since it’s essentially a cash cow for them. Some people believed that this setback could see McGregor walk away from the sport but he is an entertainer at his core. He wants to make his return and prove any doubters wrong about himself.
According to MMA insider Ariel Helwani, the showdown is trying to be scheduled for late Summer or early Fall, meaning that this contest isn’t too much farther away.
“It’s just a setback, and the hope is that they can figure this out [new date for McGregor vs. Chandler] by late Summer or early Fall,” Helwani wrote.
Fans will just have to be a little more patient to see McGregor make his return but it will be a spectacle when he does. He is one of the most confident and entertaining fighters of all time so his return will likely be worth the long wait.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.