Injured McGregor pulls out of UFC return

Conor McGregor’s comeback fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, scheduled for June 29, has been canceled.

The 35-year-old Irishman was set to fight for the first time since breaking his leg in a defeat against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

UFC president Dana White announced on X that the welterweight bout in Las Vegas was called off due to an injury to McGregor.

This marks the first time the former two-weight world champion has had to withdraw from a UFC fight because of an injury.

Additionally, the original co-main event between American light-heavyweights Jamahal Hill and New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg has been canceled due to Hill’s knee injury.

White revealed two new fights: Brazilian light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Prochazka in the new main event, and a featherweight bout between American Brian Ortega and Brazil’s Diego Lopes will serve as the new co-main event.

Fight week in Las Vegas is traditionally the biggest event on the UFC calendar.

The McGregor-Chandler fight was announced on May 24, and tickets sold out in less than 10 minutes.

The UFC “postponed” a news conference in Dublin this month, although American Chandler, 36, continued training, and the UFC’s broadcast partners continued to promote the fight.

The highly anticipated welterweight bout between Irishman Ian Garry and Briton Michael ‘Venom’ Page remains on the card.

Alex Pereira v Jiri Prochazka 2 – UFC light-heavyweight title

Brian Ortega v Diego Lopes – featherweight

Anthony Smith v Carlos Ulberg – light-heavyweight

Mayra Bueno Silva v Macy Chiasson – bantamweight

Ian Garry v Michael Page – welterweight