Conor McGregor remains optimistic about facing Michael Chandler in the Octagon, even after an injury forced him to withdraw from their scheduled bout. Initially set for UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas, the welterweight match was put on hold when McGregor (22-6) sustained an undisclosed injury earlier this month.

McGregor confirmed the injury on Instagram, sharing his disappointment over the postponement. “Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout,” McGregor wrote. ” I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me. The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team.”

McGregor assured his fans and his opponent that he remains determined to return to the ring. “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!”

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UFC CEO Dana White, who announced McGregor’s withdrawal last Thursday, has yet to provide a new timeline for the rescheduled fight. Chandler (23-8), who has been awaiting this high-profile matchup since November 2021, is also left in limbo.

This marks the first time McGregor has had to pull out of a fight due to injury. As the former two-weight UFC champion approaches his 36th birthday in July, he has been on a long recovery path since his last bout—a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, where he suffered a broken leg.

While the exact date of McGregor’s return remains uncertain, his unwavering confidence hints at a much-anticipated showdown with Chandler in the future.