UFC 303: 'Titanium Shin Bone Has Failed' - Michael Bisping Casts Doubts Over Conor McGregor's Octagon Return

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has casted doubts over Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon after the Irishman pulled out of the UFC 303 headliner due to injury.

McGregor, who suffered fractures during his last appearance in the UFC, was slated to make a much-awaited return during the UFC International Fight Week on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena. But the former double champion was forced to withdraw from the fight.

After Dana White confirmed McGregor won't be fighting in UFC 303, Bisping spoke on McGregor's injury and what veteran UFC referee John McCarthy told him about why the fight was cancelled after the official announcement did not disclose the reason for the cancellation.

"John McCarthy told me in no uncertain terms, this fight is not happening. He [Conor McGregor] is injured; he has hurt himself. His leg, the leg that he broke that, snapped against Dustin Poirier. The titanium shin bone has failed," Bisping said in a video posted on his official YouTube channel.

While McGregor is still keen on making his fight against Chandler happen, Bisping said the former lightweight and featherweight champ may never be the same again and also added that he may even not return to the Octagon.

"What's to say he will ever be the same fighter again. Him competing against Dustin Poirier when the leg snapped might be the last time ever Conor McGregor steppen foot inside the Octagon," Bisping added as he compared similar injuries picked up by Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman.

In 2021, McGregor suffered fractures to his left tibia and fibula during his TKO loss to Poirier. The former double champion needed surgery to fix his broken leg and had recovered to make himself available for a much-awaited return.

However, a further set-back has delayed his comeback to action even further. Like Bisping, former light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier also has doubts over McGregor's return to the UFC.

"I don't know what my thoughts are about his fighting future, especially knowing what his life looks like outside of fighting. This guy lives the biggest life in the world. He lives a life that is so extravagant, that is so fun, that is so fueled with adventure and other things," Cormer said on his YouTube channel.

"I don't know if people could blame him if he wants to walk away from this... I believe that the overwhelming sentiment is that he is done... They said this thing might get rescheduled for later in the year... The more time that passes, the less likely it is, that he steps inside the octagon again."