Boxing / UFC

Conor McGregor releases first statement as he explains UFC 303 press conference cancellation on hours notice

Conor McGregor has broken his silence to tell fans why he was forced to cancel his UFC 303 press conference with Michael Chandler today.

The Irishman was due to go face-to-face with Chandler at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin today, but with just hours until doors were due to open the event was cancelled. He had remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout the day as his rival continued to post, but has now spoken out.

McGregor and Chandler will fight on June 29 in the main event of UFC 303 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. And the pair have already broken gate records with the event, which will be the fighting legend’s first bout in three years.

Conor McGregor breaks his silence after UFC 303 press conference is cancelled

After a brief statement was released by the UFC early this morning, Conor McGregor has made a more lengthy post on social media explaining what happened. While the details are limited, he has apologised to fans who travelled for the event.

“In consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control,” McGregor wrote on X.

“I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience and appreciate all your passion and support. I can’t wait to put on the greatest all-time show in the Octagon.”

In consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control. I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience and appreciate all your passion and support. I can’t wait to put on the greatest…

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 3, 2024

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Promoter Dana White was due to host the event, and has not yet made comment on the cancellation.

Tickets were released for free last Wednesday, and sold out within seconds on Ticketmaster for the 12,000-capacity venue. But the event was called off less than 12 hours before doors were due to open, with limited explanation offered.

A statement sent to credentialed media members for the press conference read: “Today’s UFC 303 press conference scheduled in Dublin, Ireland at 3Arena has been postponed until further notice.

“We sincerely apologise to all the media who were planning to cover the event. When we have further information on a new date and time, we will share it immediately.”

With the fight just under four weeks away, the likelihood of Chandler being asked to fly internationally from Florida to Ireland and back seems slim.

Michael Chandler breaks his silence after Conor McGregor press conference cancelled

While McGregor has spoken directly about the event’s cancellation, Michael Chandler has opted to remain cryptic, sharing a number of unrelated posts. His first Instagram and Twitter video showed him training, making no reference to the press conference but promoting the fight itself.

The former Bellator lightweight champion showed off some exclusive clips of his fight camp and some video of sparring, with the caption reading: “Denying yourself of your passions is a slow suicide. Throw yourself fully into purpose.

“Even if you fall short, what you gained along the way is immeasurable. #UFC303 – Walk On. – See you at the top!”

He has since shared another training video with the caption: “‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King Jr. #UFC303 – Walk On. See you at the top!”