UFC return off as injury forces Michael Chandler to cancel fight

Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the UFC this month has been postponed.

The former UFC featherweight and lightweight world champion was set to return to the octagon for the first time since summer 2021 with a high-profile showdown against Michael Chandler to headline UFC 303 in Las Vegas on June 29.

However, the blockbuster fight – which was on course to set a new record for a UFC gate – had been subject to growing doubts in recent weeks after a planned pre-fight press conference in Dublin earlier this month was canceled at short notice. .

There was brief optimism that the fight would get back on track, until UFC President Dana White officially confirmed Thursday evening that it had been postponed due to an unspecified injury suffered by McGregor, who has not competed in the UFC since suffering a horrific broken leg. in a second straight loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 three years ago.

The contest is expected to be pushed back to an unspecified date later in the year, with a rematch between reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka now headlining the UFC 303 later this month.

“Conor McGregor is on 303 against Michael Chandler due to injury,” White said in an official social media update. “The new main event is Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka.”

The duo previously fought in a thriller at UFC 295 in New York in November 2023, with Pereira winning the vacant title which he would later successfully defend against Jamahal Hill with a second-round stoppage.

A featherweight clash between No. 3-ranked Brian Ortega and rising star Diego Lopes will be the new co-headline event on a card that also includes a showdown between Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry and English MMA veteran Michael’ Venom’ Page, who fights in the UFC. for only the second time after defeating Kevin Holland by decision at UFC 299 in March.

Hill is also out of UFC 303 due to injury, meaning his planned co-main event against Carlos Ulberg is canceled. Ulberg will meet Anthony Smith further down the card.