Conor McGregor says he is in “deep mental pain” watching UFC 303 fight week proceed without him.
The Irishman was slated to headline the event in Las Vegas against Michael Chandler on Saturday, but an injury forced him to withdraw.
Instead, the 35-year-old McGregor is observing the week unfold from Ireland as he continues his rehabilitation from a broken toe.
“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t in deep pain right now watching fight week take place,” he wrote on X.
“Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement, my peers and fans.”
Alex Pereira stepped in to replace McGregor at the top of the UFC 303 bill, defending his light-heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka on Saturday.
One Irishman remains on the card: Ian Machado Garry. The Dubliner will face England’s Michael ‘Venom’ Page in a welterweight bout.
Garry, 26, has promised to step up in McGregor’s absence as he aims to extend his unbeaten record to 14-0.