Conor McGregor reveals injury that forced him out of UFC 303

Wild rumours have swirled since Conor McGregor pulled out of UFC 303, but now the superstar has revealed what really happened.

The reason for Conor McGregor's cancelled fight has been revealed.

Conor McGregor’s injury has been revealed as a broken toe that he sustained during a training session just before his scheduled UFC 303 main event fight against Michael Chandler.

The 35-year-old took to Instagram on Saturday morning (AEST) to reveal he had broken his toe in training before the scheduled fight, saying it was “absolutely gut wrenching to take”.

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“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,” McGregor wrote.

“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. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor.

“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.

Conor McGregor shared this photo alongside his reason for the bout cancellation. Pic: Instagram

“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.”

There was baseless speculation from ex-MMA fighter and current ESPN show host Chael Sonnen that McGregor was in rehab due to partying habits, but his camp told The Post this was not the case.

“Mr McGregor is with his family — and any other reports are incorrect,” said Karen Kessler, McGregor’s public relations manager. “He is looking forward to a rescheduled date for his next fight.“

Conor McGregor shared photos of the toe injury that led to his canceled bout at #UFC303. pic.twitter.com/JxJ7ekUX5j

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 21, 2024

It is still widely expected that McGregor will fight Chandler, who has already waited two years for this bout to come to fruition.

“Chandler is getting paid 10x of what his contract states for other fights,” McGregor posted on X.

“Meaning he would need to fight 10 fights to make what he would make in this one. I’m The One.”

Conor McGregor of Ireland is carried out of the arena on a stretcher after injuring his ankle in the first round of his lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 in 2021. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Conor McGregor recently starred in Road House. Photo: Amazon

The Post previously reported that McGregor would be ready by August or September, although the promotion will likely have to build up an entirely new fight card in order for that to happen.

McGregor’s initial bout is scheduled to be at 170 lbs and contested over five, five-minute rounds, although it is unclear whether any of those stipulations will change for the to-be-determined fight date.

UFC 305 is currently scheduled for Perth, Australia, while UFC 306 is at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Neither of which figure to be a venue for a McGregor fight night, as the Irishman hasn’t fought in MMA outside of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas since 2016.

In McGregor’s place, Alex Pereira jumped in on short notice to fight Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 on June 28.

- This article first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission

Originally published as Conor McGregor reveals injury that forced him out of UFC 303