Dana White makes defiant statement on NEW date for Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler date after UFC 303 injury

DANA WHITE has broken his silence on Conor McGregor's withdrawal from his UFC return.

The Notorious was due to make his long-awaited cage comeback later this month in the main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

But the Irishman's Sin City showdown with Michael Chandler was officially postponed this week after it emerged he'd suffered an injury in training.

White and his team of matchmakers moved quickly to replace the fight, booking a light-heavyweight title rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.

The 54-year-old told The Sports Business Journal: "It’s the business, man. This is the way it goes."

SunSport understands McGregor's injury isn't severe and that he could be back in action in two months' time.

August 31 is one of the dates in play for the rescheduled Return of the Mac, who hasn't set foot inside the octagon in nearly three years.

But White won't be drawn on the matter until McGregor gets the all-clear to resume full training.

The veteran promoter said: "From here on, I’m not going to talk about it until when he’s healed and he’s right.

"Then we’ll look at the landscape and see what we can figure out.”

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McGregor, 35, was devastated to have been forced out of his first outing since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

But the UFC's first simultaneous two-weight world champion is adamant he will be back in the octagon before year's end.

The Dubliner wrote on Instagram: "Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout.

"I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me.

"The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team.

"My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there!

"Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!"