After weeks of speculation, Conor McGregor put an end to the mystery of what exactly caused his withdrawal from UFC 303.
In a social media post on Friday, McGregor revealed that he broke his toe “clean” ahead of his now-cancelled main event matchup with Michael Chandler for the June 29 International Fight Week pay-per-view card. “The Notorious” claimed he would just need a few more weeks to heal up, and then he would be ready to go — against Chandler, or somebody else.
McGregor, the UFC’s first ever simultaneous two-division world champion, hasn’t competed since suffering a horrific leg injury in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 264 in July 2021. The 35-year-old has lost two straight — both to Poirier — and three of four, getting stopped in all three of his losses. McGregor is now looking for his first win since stopping Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds at UFC 246 in January 2021.
Anything involving McGregor leads to responses from his fellow UFC fighters — including Islam Makhachev. See how the UFC lightweight champion, and other pros reacted below.
You don’t need a pinkie toe for a fight lol. Chicken
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 21, 2024
“My toe was a balloon “
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 21, 2024
I saw so much shit about why Conor pulled out of the fight and most of it was FAKE NEWS! Just like the reason why I was pulled from UFC 303!!!!
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) June 21, 2024
That’s the difference between me and you Conor, you finally got exposed. You got a pinky toe injury while I got a broken foot. Let me know what you guys think on the comments below. https://t.co/q79Do4eLnL pic.twitter.com/iiH1RRMKIS
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 21, 2024
Peixe morre pela boca e vacilão pelo nariz. @TheNotoriousMMA
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 21, 2024
And my condolences to Michael ‘Hachiko’ Chandler
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 21, 2024
