Michael Chandler, a prominent figure in the world of MMA, is here to stay. However, fans will have to wait a little longer for the much-anticipated UFC 303 bout between Chandler and Conor McGregor. Unfortunately, McGregor suffered an injury that will prevent him from participating in the fight scheduled for June 29.
Chandler took to his X account to address the fight’s cancellation, sharing an “official statement.” In his statement, he emphasized his reliability and expressed his disappointment at the delay. He assured his fans that he would be back and ready when the time comes.
McGregor also broke his silence on the fight’s cancellation, revealing that he had picked up an injury prior to the press conference. He explained that the injury required more time to heal than was available to him, leading to the decision to postpone the fight. McGregor acknowledged that it was a difficult choice but emphasized the importance of being at his best for the bout. He thanked his fans for their support and expressed confidence in his return.
Chandler responded to McGregor’s post with understanding and goodwill, showing no hard feelings. He wished McGregor a speedy recovery and expressed his eagerness to face him in the octagon in the future.
The hype surrounding McGregor vs. Chandler had been building for over a year. The two fighters were expected to meet in the octagon in 2023 after coaching against each other on “The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler.” This coaching stint took place from May to August of that year.
While McGregor hasn’t fought in three years, the fight is still expected to happen at a later date. MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani has reported that August or September may be potential options. McGregor’s last fight was against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a doctor stoppage due to a leg injury. It marked his second consecutive loss. Overall, McGregor has lost three of his last four fights and has had limited activity in the octagon since November 2016.
On the other hand, Chandler’s most recent fight was against Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022, which ended in a submission loss. Since his UFC debut in January 2021, Chandler, a former Bellator Lightweight Champion, has had a mixed record of 2-3.
Despite the setback, fans can still look forward to the eventual showdown between Chandler and McGregor. Both fighters have proven their skill and resilience in the past, and their future clash will undoubtedly be a highly anticipated event in the world of MMA.
