Michael Chandler, for better or worse, isn’t going anywhere.
The highly anticipated UFC 303, which would have been the return fight between Chandler and Conor McGregor, has been further delayed after the Irish superstar sustained an injury that has kept him out until the June 29 bout.
Chandler posted an “official statement” regarding the game’s cancellation via his X account.
“I’m here just like when I started in 2009, the most trusted guy in MMA. See you soon.” He wrote.
McGregor broke his silence on the cancellation of the fight on Saturday.
“It is extremely tough to miss my planned return fight. I sustained an injury prior to the press conference and needed more time to recover than I was able to afford. The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly and was made in consultation with my doctors, UFC and my team. My fans and opponent expect me to give my best in this fight and we will do our best! Thank you for all the messages of support. I am doing well and am confident I will be back!” he wrote to X.
Chandler responded to McGregor’s post.“Don’t feel bad. Get better soon. My heart is full. I’ll see you again soon.”
Anticipation for the McGregor vs. Chandler bout has been building for over a year.
The two were expected to face off in the Octagon in 2023 after coaching each other on “The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler,” which took place from May to August 2023.
The bout is expected to take place at a later date, as reported by The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani: August or September is looming as a possibility.
McGregor has not been outside the Octagon since UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered his second consecutive TKO loss to Dustin Poirier after being stopped by a doctor at the end of the first round due to a broken leg.
McGregor has lost three of his last four fights and has fought just four times since knocking out Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden in November 2016 to become the UFC lightweight champion.
Chandler has been away from the Octagon since his submission loss to Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.
Chandler, a former Bellator lightweight champion, is 2-3 at UFC since his January 2021 debut.
