Conor McGregor took to Instagram Friday to reveal that it's a broken toe that forced him to pull out of his planned June 29 bout against Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The UFC replaced the McGregor-Chandler fight with a light heavyweight title rematch between Alex Pereira and former champion Jiri Prochazka. Pereira is coming off a first-round knockout of another ex-champion, Jamahal Hill, at UFC 300, in which he fought despite a broken toe.
McGregor said he wasn't wearing protective gear when he threw a kick that hit a sparring partner on the elbow and fractured his toe.
McGregor has fought with far more serious injuries in the past, notably at UFC 189 against Chad Mendes, but said in his post he felt he needed to be at his best entering the bout with Chandler.
"It needs a few weeks that’s it," McGregor wrote. :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. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back. I’ve got too. I’ve got two fights left on my contract. I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind."
McGregor used Chandler's catchphrase, "See you at the top," near the end of his post, but he added what has to be a chilling ending to Chandler, who has waited for McGregor for over a year.
"But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not."
Chael shut your pie hole, hoe. You tap from ground and pound. pic.twitter.com/456tZnEnYI
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 21, 2024