Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has finally revealed what forced him out of his eagerly-anticipated clash with Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
The Irishman, who was set to return from a near three-year hiatus following a broken leg sustained against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, pulled out of a Dublin press conference to promote the fight, and his bout with Chandler was later pulled from the main event of UFC 303, which takes place next week as the showpiece of UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor’s first statement left many questions
Earlier in the week, McGregor posted a message to his Instagram that revealed that an injury had forced him out of action.
“Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout,” he wrote at the time.
“I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me. The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team.
“My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there! Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”
Despite that message, many questions were still left unanswered, including details of the injury he had sustained, and his thoughts about what’s next for him following his latest injury setback.
Conor McGregor confirms broken toe forced UFC 303 bout cancellation
Those questions were finally answered when McGregor posted again on Instagram later this week, as he shared his current situation with his millions of followers online.
“Man we were so f*****g super ready for this fight, it is absolutely gut wrenching to take,:” McGregor wrote.
“I want that new Bugatti. How am I gonna I justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights?”
McGregor then explained how he sustained the injury that forced him out of UFC 303.
“We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean,” he said.
“It needs a few weeks – that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen.”
He then continued, stating his intention to still return, but to do so at full fighting fitness.
“This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100 percent Conor McGregor,” he stated.
“The fans deserve it and we are getting close. A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward.
“I will get this back. I’ve got to. I’ve got two fights left on my contract. I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time. Cause I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest. Ya know yaself. But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not.”
