Conor McGregor has opened up about his feelings as a fight week built around him continues on without his involvement.
The legendary two-weight world champion was due to face Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 to cap off a massive International Fight Week. It would have been his first fight since the summer of 2021, when he suffered a nasty broken leg against Dustin Poirier.
Unfortunately, a broken toe in camp ended up costing McGregor his comeback fight and he must watch from home as the promotion’s big event moves on. Now, the main event features a light-heavyweight title rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.
- Who is Conor McGregor? Step inside the hedonistic life of UFC’s ‘notorious’ bad boy and legendary double champ
Conor McGregor sends emotional message to fans after UFC 303 fight pullout
Conor McGregor making his return was due to cap off a massive month for the UFC, which began with a lightweight world title fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. But between the Irishman and other major pullouts, the PPV event is now hanging on by a thread.
McGregor and Chandler had signed up to fight one another back in February of last year, and even coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter. But the bout kept being unofficially pushed back until they named a date for UFC 303, which is now off as well.
Taking to social media to let fans know where’s at, McGregor wrote: “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t in deep pain right now watching fight week take place. Deep mental pain. Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement, my peers and fans”
The week has been accentuated by a massive fan conference UFC X, which has seen legends of the sport make appearances. A number of top stars from the current day have also been involved, as well as announcements of future events.
Dana White pours cold water on Conor McGregor’s proposed comeback dates
While McGregor is keen to return to the octagon as soon as the end of the summer, UFC boss Dana White is not so sure. After a lengthy negotiation process around the fight, there was understandable frustration when the bout was pulled just a few weeks out over the injury.
The legendary two-weight world champion had been due to launch their event with a massive Dublin press conference on June 3. But just hours before doors were due to open at a sold-out 3Arena, fans were informed it was to be called off, with the fight following just days later.
Speaking with Barstool Sports, White was asked whether McGregor would be back in August, September or October. He quickly responded with “none of the above,” leaving fans in doubt about when the Irishman will be back in the octagon.
Conor McGregor claimed he was ‘in a dark place’ after UFC 303 cancellation
Today’s social media post from McGregor is not the first time that he has spoken about his mental health surrounding this event. Last weekend he made a public outing at Bellator Dublin to corner teammate Sinead Kavanagh and did a number of interviews.
He spoke of his disappointment having the fight canceled, and insisted that he will be back to training shortly. But as of right now, he is still unable to fully put on a shoe and won’t be fully training for a number of weeks.
“It’s tough, but we keep it dialled in,” McGregor told SevereMMA. “The injury, I’m not going to lie, is painful, it’s very, very painful. Probably even more painful than the leg and that’s the truth. I was in a dark place. I’m alright, I’m getting there again, I’m ready to go again.”