After withdrawing from UFC 303, Conor McGregor is facing backlash from fans and fighters alike, with one champion branding the legend ‘mentally broken’.
The Irishman was scheduled to return on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. However, he pulled out from the bout after sustaining an injury during training camp.
Ilia Topuria claims Conor McGregor is ‘mentally broken’
While Conor McGregor hasn’t competed in almost three years, he remains the biggest star in the UFC. Renowned for his remarkable skills on the mic and ferocious left hand, ‘The Notorious’ generates hype like no other.
Despite losing his last two contests to Dustin Poirier, enthusiasm for his return to the cage is still rife, with many of his fans still believing he has what it takes to make it back to the pinnacle of the sport.
Therefore, when the UFC announced a clash between McGregor and Michael Chandler, the MMA community was pumped. The pair had marinated the contest nicely with a season together coaching The Ultimate Fighter, and just needed to get in the cage with one another to top off the dish.
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Alas, the contest fans were so excited for has fallen through. After breaking his toe, the former two-time UFC champion has made the difficult decision to pull out of the contest.
Of course, this has prompted a huge reaction from MMA purists. On the one hand, McGregor has posted pictures of the injury, proving its validity, and with such swelling, it would be difficult to compete to his optimum ability.
But on the other, he once criticized Rafael Dos Anjos for withdrawing from a fight with him for the same reason. The whole ordeal has resulted in some, including the man who now reigns over his old division, Ilia Topuria, questioning whether the fighter still has the mental fortitude to compete at the highest level.
He tweeted: “You are mentally broken. That is your biggest lesson. You doubt yourself, your abilities, your preparation, that’s why you don’t show up. You are a b**ch.”
While potentially damning words, in all reality, the situation may be completely out of the MMA icon’s hands. Regardless, the world is joined in unison, wondering if McGregor will ever compete again. And one man may have the answer.
Will Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler ever happen?
While the fight is off for now, that doesn’t mean Dana White isn’t interested in doing his utmost to reschedule the bout.
With McGregor still a massive player in the MMA scene, according to one of his teammates, the promotion already has a date in mind to give the Irish superstar a huge stage to make his comeback.
Peter Queally told talkSPORT MMA: “It seems like they will endeavor to make that fight in September time. Something like that, maybe. That’s what I’m hearing. That’s what you can look forward to if they can make it happen.”
Currently, the only scheduled PPV event for that month is UFC 306 on September 12 at the Las Vegas Sphere.
The remarkable venue that has garnered a huge reputation for its aesthetically stunning concerts is set to play host to a massive show two days before Mexican Independence Day.
And for such a spectacular arena, Dana White is more than happy to splash the cash, with the UFC CEO recently revealing exactly how much he’s spent so far.
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