Conor McGregor's anticipated comeback fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 has been abruptly cancelled, just two weeks ahead of the scheduled event.
McGregor, who has been sidelined since fracturing his leg in a July 2021 loss, was slated to return to the Octagon on June 29. However, the Las Vegas main event against Chandler has been scrapped due to an injury sustained by the Irish fighter.
As a result, the new main event at T-Mobile Arena will feature Alex Pereira defending his light-heavyweight title in a rematch against Jiri Prochazka. Additionally, Jamahal Hill has withdrawn from his co-main event against Carlos Ulberg; Brian Ortega will now face Diego Lopes in the new co-main event, while Ulberg takes on Anthony Smith.
Speculation arose following the abrupt cancellation of a Dublin press conference on June 3, for which the UFC provided no explanation. Subsequently, McGregor and Chandler posted cryptic messages on social media, with Chandler hinting in an interview that the fight was still on.
McGregor, aged 35, has not secured a victory since January 2020. In his last fight, he suffered a leg fracture against Dustin Poirier, six months after being knocked out by the same opponent.
Meanwhile, Chandler's most recent bout was in November 2022, where he lost to Poirier via submission. The 38-year-old American's last win came in May 2022.
McGregor vs Chandler was originally announced in February 2023, following their roles as rival coaches on last year's season of The Ultimate Fighter. McGregor, a former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion, held both titles simultaneously. Chandler, a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, joined the UFC in late 2019.
Their anticipated welterweight clash was set to echo McGregor's previous encounters at that weight class, including bouts against Nate Diaz in 2016 and a victory over Donald Cerrone in 2020.
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