Conor McGregor won’t be stepping into the Octagon at UFC 303 next week, but that didn’t stop him from throwing a jab.
The Irish star fired back at former UFC fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen, who earlier this week claimed that the reason McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon is on hold is because he is in rehab.
On Friday, McGregor posted on social media that a broken toe caused the postponement of his fight against Michael Chandler.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8e9mQgN4tE/?hl=en
“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,” McGregor said in an Instagram post. “It needs a few weeks, that’s it.
“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 two fights left on my contract.”
McGregor also posted a series of pictures to X showing off pics of his badly bruised left pinky toe and X-rays to back it up.
https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1804186016405688722
Along with the snaps, McGregor wrote: “Chael shut your pie hole, hoe. You tap from ground and pound.”
Speaking on ESPN MMA earlier this week, Sonnen dropped a hint claiming that McGregor was not injured and had checked into rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.
Talking about the postponed fight with Daniel Cormier, Sonnen spoke about how both Chandler and McGregor have promoted alcohol during their careers.
While Sonnen didn’t name McGregor directly, he dropped references to McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand.
“What incredible irony that both sides have these massive interests in alcohol and one side is in the middle of rehab for substance abuse, including alcohol,” he said, sarcastically adding: “Not that that has anything to do with this.
“Did it just get hot in here? Oh, it just got hot in here. Uh oh, the big guy came out and said it. He wasn’t supposed to talk about that. Well, that’s why people tune in.”
Cormier then claimed he didn’t hear what Sonnen said, so the 47-year-old repeated his seemingly unfounded claim.
“It was unrelated,” he said. “Two guys pushing alcohol, totally unrelated story. And then a guy is in rehab for alcohol and other substances. Just saying, that’s a tough story.
“Have this proper drink. I’ll see you in a proper while because I am in a proper facility right now, watching me not have drinks. I’m bringing up the irony of the point, that’s all Daniel.”
A spokesperson for McGregor was quick to deny the claim.
“Mr. McGregor is with his family,” they told the outlet. “The fight was cancelled after an injury he sustained during training. He is looking forward to a new date.”
With the McGregor-Chandler fight scrapped, UFC 303 on June 29 now will be headlined by a light heavyweight title match between champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.