Conor McGregor DROPS his sparring partner with big left hand in newly released training footage ahead of UFC 303 showdown with Michael Chandler... showing he's razor sharp just days after the fight was in doubt
- McGregor is set to take on long-term rival Chandler in main event on June 29
- There was doubt over the bout happening after press conference was cancelled
- The Irishman, however, looks sharp in training footage shared to his social media
Conor McGregor has shared a series of training videos following his scheduled UFC return later this month, including one showing him dropping a sparring partner.
The Irishman is set to go one-on-one with long-term rival Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29 in what is set to be his first fight since breaking his leg three years ago.
Despite doubts over the bout happening following the cancellation of the Dublin press conference over the weekend, it is still pencilled in to happen with fans left in anticipation of his return.
Little footage has been shared of his camp ahead of the bout, but the 35-year-old has on Friday morning shared a series of training footage on his Instagram account.
The footage, which shows various workouts and includes knock down of one opponent, shows the Irishman looking sharp as he works out ahead of his return.
Conor McGregor (centre) has shared a series of training videos, including one of him dropping an opponent in sparring
The Irishman could be seen taking on various opponents and training ahead of hid UFC return
McGregor's highly-anticipated return against Michael Chandler on June 29 is set to go ahead
The first video shows McGregor looking focused, practicing his punched and some brief grappling with a trainer.
In the second, he is seen sparring with a head guard on, the same in the third, delivering a big left-hand punch that reduced his opponent to a knee following a kick earlier on.
As his opponent recovers, McGregor can be seen approaching the side of the cage, heavy breathing before taking on a drink and adjusting his head guard.
Later footage shows more punches and grappling as music plays in the background of the films.
He is also seen engaging in combat with another opponent, before hitting a series of pads in the final video as Haddaway's 'What is love?' plays in the background.'
Though sporadic footage has been shared by McGregor over the last few years, it was more rehabilitation work rather than training, with his first sparring session shared on Friday.
MMA reporter Ariel Helwani claimed earlier this week that UFC chiefs have even been 'sending out feelers' over potential replacements for the Irishman, who has not competed in the Octagon for close to three years.
Fans were quick to speculate on social media that he has pulled out of his comeback fight, which has been in the works since the two rivals appeared on the Ultimate Fighter together last year.
Yet in a more positive update on Wednesday, Helwani revealed there is now 'great optimism' that McGregor vs Chandler will take place on June 29 as billed.
There were doubts over the bout taking place after the pre-fight press conference in Dublin was cancelled
McGregor looked sharp in the videos he posted to his Instagram account on Friday morning
The 35-year-old has, unusually, shared less footage of his training than he has before previous fights
No reason was given for the postponement of Monday's press conference in Dublin, with McGregor touching on 'a series of obstacles outside of our control' in a statement on X.
'In consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control,' said the former two-weight UFC champion.
'I apologise 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.'
