In a major turn of events, Conor McGregor has been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated matchup against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. The welterweight bout was slated to headline the June 29 card in Las Vegas, but McGregor's injury has put a halt to the fight.

UFC CEO Dana White made the announcement on Thursday night, leaving fans disappointed and eager for updates on McGregor's condition. This bout was supposed to mark McGregor's comeback from a broken leg he suffered in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

MegaFit Meals, a sponsor of Michael Chandler, released a joint statement with Chandler addressing the news. They acknowledged that booking a fight with McGregor always came with a high degree of risk. The statement emphasized the willingness to take calculated risks in order to seize opportunities and grow.

Chandler, who had been waiting eagerly for the official confirmation of the bout, has unfortunately faced setbacks due to the delay. He has not fought since November 2022, and his pursuit of the McGregor fight has led to his removal from the MMA Fighting Global Rankings due to inactivity.

The disappointment surrounding McGregor's withdrawal has left Chandler and his team searching for a new direction. Chandler later took to Twitter to issue another statement, expressing his determination to redirect his course towards something even greater.

As a result of McGregor's withdrawal, a new main event has been lined up for UFC 303. Alex Pereira will now defend his title against Jiri Prochazka, guaranteeing an exciting matchup between two formidable fighters.

The absence of McGregor in UFC 303 raises questions about his future plans and whether he will be able to bounce back from this setback. Fans will have to wait for further updates on McGregor's injury and his subsequent return to the octagon.

In the meantime, the focus shifts towards the new main event, with both Pereira and Prochazka gearing up to showcase their skills and vie for victory on June 29.

UFC 303 promises to be an eventful night of thrilling fights, despite the disappointment surrounding the withdrawal of the much-anticipated Chandler vs. McGregor matchup. Fans and fighters alike will eagerly await further updates and anticipate an action-packed evening in Las Vegas.