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The highly anticipated return of Conor McGregor to the Octagon has been postponed once again. On Thursday, UFC President Dana White announced that McGregor has suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Michael Chandler on June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This news sent shockwaves through the MMA community, leading to a complete overhaul of the UFC 303 card.

Pereira vs. Prochazka 2 Set to Headline

In place of the McGregor vs. Chandler fight, fans will now witness a riveting rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka for the light heavyweight title. Their first encounter was a battle for the ages, and the sequel promises to deliver even more excitement. Pereira, known for his striking prowess, will be looking to defend his title against Prochazka, who is eager to reclaim his championship status.

Ortega vs. Lopes and Ulberg vs. Smith Added to the Card

The reshuffled card also features a featherweight clash between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes. Ortega, a submission specialist, aims to bounce back from his recent setbacks, while Lopes is determined to make a statement in the division. Additionally, light heavyweight contenders Carlos Ulberg and Anthony Smith will face off in a bout that could have significant implications for their careers.

"It's unfortunate that Conor got injured, but we have an incredible lineup for UFC 303," said Dana White. "Fans are in for a treat with these matchups."

Reactions from the MMA Community

The announcement of McGregor's injury and the new matchups elicited a flurry of reactions from fighters, coaches, and fans alike. Many expressed disappointment over McGregor's withdrawal but also excitement for the new headline fight. Social media was abuzz with predictions and analyses of how the new bouts will unfold.

As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to how these new matchups will impact the fighters and the division standings. With International Fight Week on the horizon, UFC 303 is shaping up to be an event that no fight fan will want to miss.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova