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UFC 303 just got a whole lot less "Notorious." The much-anticipated showdown between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler has been scrapped after McGregor suffered a training camp injury. This news comes after a whirlwind ten days of speculation and worry, following the abrupt cancellation of the Dublin press conference.
Covington Piles On
Never one to miss an opportunity, former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington seized the moment to poke fun at his rival Chandler. Months ago, Covington publicly predicted that Chandler's McGregor fight wouldn't happen. Now, with the fight officially nixed, Covington took to Instagram to remind Chandler of his earlier doubts. As of yet, Chandler hasn't responded to Covington's online taunts, but he did release a statement addressing the cancelled fight (link included).
Uncertain Paths for McGregor and Chandler
Both McGregor and Chandler are coming off losses in 2023. Chandler's last fight was a defeat to Dustin Poirier, while McGregor suffered a brutal leg break in a loss to the same opponent. The nature of McGregor's new injury and its connection to his previous leg issue remain shrouded in mystery.
Looking Ahead: Covington Eyes Return, Chandler Waits
Covington is targeting a comeback fight later in 2024 after losing a decision to current welterweight champion Leon Edwards. He was previously linked to a fight with rising star Ian Garry, but Garry is now booked for a different matchup at UFC 303.
This turn of events leaves Chandler in a frustrating position. Not only did his dream fight with McGregor fall apart, but he also has to deal with Covington's relentless social media barbs. The wait continues to see if McGregor will ever be healthy enough to step back into the octagon, and what Chandler's next move will be.