Conor McGregor breaks silence amid UFC 303 injury fears as Dana White sends out 'feelers' to potential replacements - The US Sun

CONOR MCGREGOR has hinted he could be OUT of his highly anticipated UFC return.

The Notorious is set to make his long-awaited cage return against Michael Chandler at the end of the month in the main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

Conor McGregor’s return with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 is on holdCredit: Getty

Rumors are rife that the Irishman suffered an injury before his return.Credit: AP

McGregor, 35, hinted he might be compromised in now-deleted Instagram postCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA

McGregor included a sad face and praying emoji in the postCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA

But speculation is rife that the Irishman is injured following the cancellation at short notice of a press conference in Dublin last week.

McGregor, 35, appeared to jokingly tap into rumors about his fitness last Thursday by posting a instant of himself on the massage bed of a physiotherapist.

And he appears to have done so once again with his latest tweet and deletion, which included an old video of himself discussing how he stays injury-free.

In the clip, the former two-division champion said: “I think the more you train with resistance, the less movement there is and the more injuries there are.

“The less resistance you train with, the more movement there is and the fewer injuries there are.

“A group balances itself. You might go a little lighter, but the positions wouldn’t be if everyone was tense.

“Everyone was trying to win at every turn.”

Team McGregor and UFC executives have remained tight-lipped on the status of the UFC 303 marquee fight, much to the frustration of MMA fans.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR BOOKMAKER UKS

But UFC bigwigs Dana White and Hunter Campbell are reportedly exploring new options for International Fight Week headliners and have sent out “feelers” to potential replacements.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani said: “On Monday of last week, I would say the level of optimism was not very high.

Dana White makes first statement as Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler UFC 303 fears announcing huge fight

“There was some worry, there was doubt, there were roadblocks.

“I came on this show on Wednesday and said optimism is high.

“There was a lot of positivity, all those words I used.

“It felt like we dodged a bullet, it felt like we turned a corner.

“On Tuesday, I reported that the UFC was sending out probes, that they were reaching out to fighters and managers to see who could possibly be available to fill in for the fight.

“That is, two new fighters or step in and replace one of the fighters involved to fight on this card.

“Obviously the fighter we’re talking about is Conor McGregor, because why else would Chandler be willing to fly to Dublin?

“So I said it looked like we were all OK, and as of Wednesday, no probe had been launched, no one was really talking about it.

“It looked like all systems were operational.

“Yesterday morning I started hearing – as I continued to record myself because I know there’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of doubt.

Inside McGregor’s Notorious Lifestyle

With more facets to his personality than an octagon, the rise of Conor McGregor has been an exciting watch.

“It’s causing a lot of concern because it’s a very important fight and because no one involved is talking about it publicly.

“Chandler did just one interview and I think that allayed some concerns.

“But no one is really talking about it – and I found out, through several sources, that they are contacting people again.

“They’re talking to managers, they’re talking to fighters, as potential replacements, as a new fight, as replacements, as someone replacing McGregor, or equally. insurance.

“Just in case. All these things are in play.

“One step further, here we are, Wednesday, 1:15 p.m., the positivity I spoke of exactly a week ago today is nowhere to be found.

“I would say this fight is in limbo.

“I would say it holds up and the UFC is working very, very hard right now to find a plan B.

“Plan B could be someone stepping in to fight Chandler, plan C could be a whole new fight.”

McGregor has not set foot in the octagon since breaking his left leg during his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in June 2021.

Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in his trilogy boutCredit: AP