McGregor: Decision to pull out of UFC 303 'not made lightly'

Conor McGregor explained his decision to pull out of his UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler in an Instagram post Saturday.

"Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout. I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me," McGregor wrote.

He added: "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."

The UFC hopes to reschedule Chander-McGregor for August or September, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. The UFC will host its first event at the Las Vegas Sphere on Sept. 14, and the bout could be scheduled for the new venue.

Chandler issued his own response on X following McGregor's statement.

"I'm here, just as in 2009 when I started. The most reliable man in MMA. See you when I see you," Chandler wrote.

He added: "No hard feelings. Heal up. My heart is full. See you soon."

McGregor hasn't fought since he broke his tibia against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Once the fight was officially canceled, Alex Pereira versus Jiri Prochazka was announced as the main event replacement. UFC 303 will take place June 29.