Conor McGregor (left)(image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following the news that Conor McGregor will no longer fight at UFC 303, the former champ’s revealed a broken toe was behind his withdrawal.

McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at the June 29th card, before it was announced the polarizing star would no longer compete. More recently, McGregor shared the statement below via Instagram.

Man we were so f–king super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut wrenching to take. I want that new Bugatti how I gone justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights. We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean. It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close. A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back. I’ve got too. I’ve got two fights left on my contract. I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time. Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest. Ya know yaself. But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not. #McGTheRealBMF #McGregorForever #GoingNowhere

McGregor also posted images on X, before deleting them, indicating it was his broken toe that broke.  That confirmation prompted some blowback online, particularly from Rafael dos Anjos. In 2016, after dos Anjos withdrew from a bout with McGregor due to a broken foot, the latter blasted the veteran for doing so.

That’s the difference between me and you Conor, you finally got exposed. You got a pinky toe injury while I got a broken foot. Let me know what you guys think on the comments below. https://t.co/q79Do4eLnL pic.twitter.com/iiH1RRMKIS

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 21, 2024

The 35-year-old proceeded to relay via X that “I will never enter a fight hurt again and I will never lose another fight.”

I will never enter a fight hurt again and I will never lose another fight.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 22, 2024

McGregor (22-6) hasn’t competed now since July, 2021, when he broke his leg in a rubber match with Dustin Poirier.