UFC
Why Conor McGregor won’t fight at UFC 303 and when will he return to the octagon?
The Irishman withdrew from this weekend’s event in Las Vegas, expressing his disappointment with a message on his socials.
Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka top the bill in a 13-bout fight card at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada tonight - a main event that had to be hastily rearranged due to unforeseen circumstances.
Conor McGregor was originally due to headline with his non-title, five-round fight against Michael Chandler marking his return to UFC after an absence of almost three years. The Notorious’ last appearance was in July 2021 when he lost his rematch against Dustin Poirier by TKO after breaking his tibia at the end of the first round at UFC 264. McGregor’s last UFC win was against Donald Cerrone in January 2020 and his last title win was even further back. He was stripped of his UFC Lightweight title due to inactivity.
All of that made his long-awaited return even more attractive for fans. However, the first signs that something was amiss came on 3 June when a press conference at which McGregor was due to speak alongside Chandler and Dana White at Dublin’s 3Arena was postponed. “In consultation with the UFC, today’s press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control,” McGregor explained in a statement.
“I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience and appreciate all your passion and support. I can’t wait to put on the greatest all-time show in the octagon”.
What injury did Conor McGregor suffer ahead of UFC 303?
Over a week later, on 14 June, after much speculation, it was confirmed that McGregor had withdrawn due to injury. The Irishman explained that he had overdone it during a practice session and cracked a bone to a toe in his left foot. he revealed on Instagram: “Man we were so f***ing super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut wrenching to take. We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean. It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again”.
The earliest McGregor could return
Similar injuries can take between four to six weeks to heal and even after that McGregor would still need to get inside the gym, return to full fitness so that he is able to compete. Dricus Du Plessis defends his world middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in Perth on 18 August in the main event at UFC 305. The earliest McGregor could make his return would be at UFC 308 which will be taking place in Abu Dhabi on the last weekend in October, although no fights for that event have been confirmed. Who knows, we might not see The Notorious back in the octagon until the New Year.
In the meantime, McGregor will be waiting for his broken toe to heal before he signs up for anything strenuous. He promises that he will be back at some point and that it will be worth the wait. “This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close. I will get this back. I’ve got too [sic]. I’ve got two fights left on my contract. I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not”.
Last week, he admitted that watching Pereira and Prochazka take the limelight in Las Vegas tonight will be difficult for him to watch. “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t in deep pain right now watching fight week take place. Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement, my peers and fans,” McGregor revealed on X.