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After weeks of speculation, the UFC has officially announced that Conor McGregor will not be participating in his anticipated UFC 303 bout against Michael Chandler due to an injury. This unexpected turn of events has left fans and fighters alike questioning the future of the former champion.

McGregor's Injury and Withdrawal

The UFC's announcement on Thursday confirmed that McGregor is out of the fight, scheduled for June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Instead, a short-notice main event featuring Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka has been organized, but the McGregor vs. Chandler bout is still being targeted for later this year.

Daniel Cormier's Concerns

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier expressed his growing doubts about McGregor's return to the octagon. "I was trying to disagree with Ben Askren, but now that it's a reality, it's very worrisome," Cormier shared on his YouTube channel.

"I thought Conor McGregor was going to come back because, to me, Conor McGregor is a fighter. But I'm starting to think — I know skill for skill, the Conor McGregor of 2015 isn't the same guy. But I thought that the star was still the same. I just don't know that he wants to fight, especially right now."

McGregor's Extravagant Lifestyle

McGregor, who hasn't fought since shattering his leg at UFC 265 in July 2021, has been living a life filled with luxury and adventure. "You’ve got to think and weigh your two options of life," Cormier said, highlighting the stark contrast between a fighter's grueling preparation and McGregor's current lifestyle of yachts, parties, and acting roles.

Impact on Michael Chandler

McGregor's withdrawal has significant implications for Michael Chandler, who has been out of action for over 18 months, waiting for this bout. "Michael Chandler still needs to fight," Cormier emphasized, suggesting that Chandler might need to move on from waiting for McGregor and pursue other opportunities.

"I don’t know that even if he wins, if this fight moves him closer to being world champion. He’s got some options, he’s got some things to weigh going forward, because I don’t know that he should wait anymore. I think it’s time to move off of this."

The Future of McGregor in UFC

With the McGregor vs. Chandler bout potentially rescheduled for later this year, the question remains: will McGregor return to the octagon in 2024? As time passes, the likelihood of his comeback diminishes, leaving fans and analysts skeptical about seeing the "Notorious" fight again.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova