Injury Forces Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Delay as Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka Take Main Event Spotlight

Conor McGregor‘s highly anticipated return to the UFC octagon has been put on hold due to an injury, as announced by UFC on Thursday. The bout between McGregor and Michael Chandler, scheduled to headline UFC 303 in Las Vegas on June 29, has been called off.

UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the new main event for the night will feature a title defense by the light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira against Jiri Prochazka. The sudden change has shifted the spotlight away from McGregor’s comeback.

McGregor, coming off a setback in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier where he suffered a leg injury, was eager to make his return. However, the injury setback has once again delayed the former featherweight and lightweight champion’s path back to the octagon.

The outspoken and charismatic McGregor holds a prominent place in mixed martial arts history, headlining record-breaking pay-per-view events. His bouts with opponents like Khabib Nurmagomedov and his foray into boxing against Floyd Mayweather have drawn massive audiences.

Michael Chandler, a former UFC lightweight title challenger and Bellator champion, had been gearing up for the bout with McGregor but will now have to wait for another opportunity. Chandler, known for his exciting fights, was looking forward to facing the Irish superstar.

It remains uncertain whether the McGregor-Chandler matchup will be rescheduled, leaving fans eager for a potential showdown between two skilled fighters from different MMA backgrounds.