Michael Chandler headed to UFC 303 despite Conor McGregor withdrawal: ‘I made a commitment’

Michael Chandler has smiled his way through a year and a half’s worth of waiting for a Conor McGregor fight, but he’s not smiling now that Mac has withdrawn from their UFC 303 fight on June 29th.

In a new video posted to his Instagram, a grim looking Mike addressed his fans and declared he would still be showing up for International Fight Week festivities despite no longer being on the Saturday pay-per-view card.

Chandler has been putting a lot of time into his motivational speaking skills, but even those couldn’t keep a tinge of bitterness and disappointment out of his reflections on integrity.

“Your word is your bond. If your word is no good, eventually you are no good,” Chandler said. “I’m still going to UFC 303, much to the surprise of the UFC and everyone behind the scenes. It’s UFC X, it’s UFC Fan Experience, it’s UFC 303: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka. And just six days ago it was McGregor vs. Chandler. It’s my card. It was my card when I signed the bout agreement, signed my name to a piece of paper stating that I would be at UFC 303.”

“I made a promise, I made a commitment and that commitment still stands. Because your word is your bond. And without your word, you are no good. If you can not be relied upon, if people don’t believe that you’re going to follow through with what you say you’re going to do? The definition of ‘integrity’ is doing what you say you’re going to do, without fail.”

It’s hard not to see this as a shot at McGregor, who was forced out of UFC 303 with an undisclosed injury. Chandler had the biggest fight of his career pulled out from under him on two week’s notice, and now there’s no clear answer as to when he’ll compete again. No wonder he’s finally starting to crack.

“So yes, I will be at UFC 303,” he reiterated. “No, I will not be fighting at UFC 303. But I’m going to see through to my commitment.”

“Life and success and growth and attainment. Getting the life you want has everything to do with following through on the things you said you were going to do. You gotta understand the circumstances of change. I would not be faulted one bit if I’d not show up to UFC 303. Maybe I’m going to UFC 303 because I want to go to UFC 303. But I will be at UFC 303 none the less. Mainly because I made a commitment to be there.”

LIVE! Watch UFC 304 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

’McGREGOR-FREE MAIN EVENT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., June 29, 2024, without its biggest box office draw, Conor McGregor, after the Irish sports star delayed the “greatest comeback of all-time” because he broke his pinky toe (seriously). Coming the rescue once again is Light Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, agreeing to rematch former division champion, Jiri Prochazka, in the pay-per-view (PPV) main event. In UFC 303’s co-headliner, top-ranked Featherweight contender, Brian Ortega, will attempt to halt the rise of red-hot surging 145-pound prospect, Diego Lopes. UFC 303’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze and Ian Garry vs. Michael “Venom” Page and so much more. It’s must-watch action! UFC 303 start time scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

• STREAM UFC 304

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 303 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET), before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 303: “Alex vs. Jiri 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.