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Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the octagon has been put on hold once again. The former champion was set to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29, but an undisclosed injury has forced him to withdraw. Jake Paul, who has frequently targeted McGregor with verbal jabs, surprisingly came to his defense.

Jake Paul Backs McGregor's Decision

Paul took to social media to retweet a statement from his agent's company, emphasizing the harsh realities of injuries in combat sports.

"Injuries are an unfortunate part of any sport. The impact is considerably higher in individual sports and even more so in combat sports where the event is built around specific marquee matchups. Fans lose and so do the fighters. No one wants to have to cancel or reschedule but it’s the business of fighting and ensuring athletes are healthy before stepping into battle."

McGregor's Rocky Road to Recovery

McGregor has not fought since suffering a devastating leg break in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021. This latest injury adds to a series of setbacks for the Irishman, who has not secured a victory since his 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone four years ago. His last major win dates back to 2016, when he stopped Eddie Alvarez to claim the lightweight title.

Future of the Fight Card

With McGregor out, the UFC 303 event will see Alex Pereira stepping in to defend his light-heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka. The McGregor-Chandler bout is expected to be rescheduled for either August or September, but this delay raises questions about McGregor's future in the sport.

Sonnen's Bold Prediction

UFC legend Chael Sonnen weighed in on McGregor's withdrawal, suggesting that it could signal the end of his fighting career.

"If Conor McGregor doesn’t show up for this, I’m here to let you know any idea you have that he’s still fighting or he’s still in the business or he wasn’t feeling good and they’re doing it another day, or he and Chandler are going to be somewhere down the road... I’m here to let you know now, if you’re told that by anybody, you have been given bad information."

Sonnen added that if McGregor does not fight Chandler on the rescheduled date, it could be seen as an informal announcement of his retirement from the sport.

What Lies Ahead?

The uncertainty surrounding McGregor's future leaves fans and analysts speculating about his next move. Will he recover and return to the octagon, or is this the end of an era for one of MMA's most iconic fighters? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world of combat sports is never short of drama.

Editor: Yana Davydiuk