Photo: Getty Images

MMA fans have been on a rollercoaster ride this week, a norm when it involves Conor McGregor. The anticipated bout between McGregor and Michael Chandler at UFC 303 has officially been called off, with McGregor being removed from International Fight Week on June 29.

Pereira vs. Prochazka to Headline UFC 303

In a turn of events, the new main event will feature Alex Pereira facing Jiri Prochazka for the light heavyweight championship. This intriguing matchup promises to bring fireworks to the octagon, ensuring that UFC 303 remains a must-watch event.

Rumors began to swirl about McGregor's potential withdrawal after nearly two years of buildup and a full season of The Ultimate Fighter. These rumors gained traction when a scheduled UFC 303 press conference in Dublin was abruptly canceled without explanation. McGregor later attributed the postponement to “a series of obstacles outside of our control.”

McGregor's Injury and Impact on UFC 303

The situation worsened when McGregor suffered an injury just before the Dublin press conference. Despite not selling out, McGregor's presence had already set a new live-gate record of over $20 million in ticket sales. His withdrawal is undoubtedly a significant blow to the event, yet the fights on the card still hold the potential to deliver thrilling action.

Historical Context: McGregor's Fight Withdrawals

This isn't the first time a McGregor fight has been affected by a pullout. Notably, McGregor himself has only withdrawn from one previous bout. In 2013, Andy Ogle pulled out of a fight against McGregor, who went on to defeat Max Holloway. In 2014, McGregor's bout with Cole Miller was scrapped due to Miller's thumb injury, leading McGregor to fight and beat Diego Brandao.

In 2015, McGregor was set to fight Jose Aldo at UFC 189 for the featherweight title, but Aldo pulled out with a rib fracture. McGregor fought and won against Chad Mendes for the interim belt and later defeated Aldo in just 13 seconds to claim the undisputed title.

Perhaps the most talked-about pullout was McGregor missing a rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 200. After losing to Diaz at UFC 196, McGregor was supposed to fight him again in July 2016. However, McGregor announced his retirement and was pulled from the event for refusing to film marketing spots.

“I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya's later.” — Conor McGregor

Despite these setbacks, McGregor returned to fight Diaz at UFC 202, securing a victory in an epic bout.

Editor: Yana Davydiuk