Conor McGregor reveals mystery injury saw him cancel UFC 303 fight as X-ray appears to prove bizarre fan theory right
CONOR MCGREGOR has revealed the injury which forced him to pull out of his fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
The former two-weight UFC champion had been scheduled to make his long-awaited return in Las Vegas on June 29.
However, it was confirmed last week the bout had been cancelled due to an injury to McGregor.
Fans have since speculated as to the identity of the mystery injury, with the Irishman now revealing he suffered a broken toe in sparring.
Sharing a snap from training to Instagram, McGregor revealed the details of his fight withdrawal.
He wrote: “Man we were so f***ing super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut wrenching to take.
“I want that new Bugatti how I gone justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights.
“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. 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.
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“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. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time.
Inside McGregor's Notorious lifestyle
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
Read all of our latest Conor McGregor stories.
“Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest. Ya know yaself. But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not.”
McGregor also shared snaps of the bruising to his toe and an X-ray of the injury on X.
Responding to Chael Sonnen, he told the former UFC title challenger to “shut your pie hole” after he had claimed the bout was cancelled because McGregor was in rehab.
Notorious’ absence from the octagon is now set to surpass the three-year mark as the wait goes on for his meeting with Chandler.
The 35-year-old has not fought since breaking his tibia in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
Instead, an August or September return is being targeted, with the UFC hopeful the fight can be rebooked for later this year.
Meanwhile, Alex Pereira will defend his light-heavyweight title in a rematch with Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC 303 next weekend in place of McGregor vs Chandler.