Conor McGregor breaks silence after UFC postpones Michael Chandler press conference... sparking fears over the Irishman's return at UFC 303

Conor McGregor has apologized to his fans after the UFC postponed a press conference ahead of his fight with Michael Chandler.

But 'The Notorious' refused to shine any light on why the event in Dublin had to be pulled just 12 hours before it was due to start. 

McGregor and Chandler are slated to square off at UFC 303 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 29. 

But the UFC announced at 5am on Monday morning that the press conference had been postponed until further notice, prompting fears over McGregor's long-awaited return.

The Irishman claimed the decision was down to 'a series of obstacles outside of our control' but did not specify what they were.

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler's press conference in Dublin was postponed

'I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience,' McGregor said 

Videos leaked last week showed McGregor (pictured) was seen partying in a Dublin bar just six weeks before his fight against Michael Chandler

'In consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control,' said McGregor, who is set for his first fight in nearly three years,. 

'I apologize 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.'

In their earlier statement the UFC said: 'The UFC 303 press conference scheduled for Monday, June 3 in Dublin, Ireland at 3Arena has been  postponed until further notice.

'We sincerely apologise to all the fans who were planning to attend. When we have further information on a new date and time, we will share it with you immediately.'

Fans didn't have to pay to attend Monday's press conference, though it was a ticketed event which had sold out within minutes of being released to the public. 

One fan later wrote on social media: 'Knew this was all too good to be true man,' while another added 'Conor pulled out, didn't he.'

A third person commented: 'The fight is gonna get called off,' while a fourth wrote 'Conor vs Chandler is never gonna happen.' 

McGregor appeared to try and pull open the blouse of an unidentified woman in one video

The former UFC champion was also seen dancing and kissing his fiancee Dee

The UFC star posed for pictures behind the DJ decks at the night club alongside several fans 

Videos had circulated last week of McGregor partying into the early hours of the morning at his bar in Dublin. 

McGregor shared a video of himself dancing at The Black Forge Inn with a group of men and pointing at the camera with his tongue out, as reported by Mail Online last week. 

In the footage, the fighter - who is engaged - shows off an expensive watch on his left wrist before the camera pans to him using his hand to try and open a women's dress.  

Taken aback, the unidentified woman rebuffs the move by quickly grabbing her leopard print dress to avoid being exposed before the video abruptly ends. 

Other videos last week showed him kissing his fiancee Dee Devlin, posing behind the DJ decks along with several fans, and also raising a bottle of whiskey into the air - though no video showed him drinking. 

McGregor, a former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, had previously hinted that he would be going on a self-imposed alcohol ban ahead of his bout at UFC 303 on June 30.

McGregor is a former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion (pictured in 2016)

McGregor suffered a horrible leg break when he last fought for UFC back in July 2021

He last fought in the MMA on July 10, 2021, where he suffered a horrible leg break during a TKO defeat by Dustin Poirier. 

UFC president Dana White was asked about McGregor after UFC 302 at the weekend, in which he made comparisons to Jon Jones - who also enjoyed late-night sessions during his career.

He said in his press conference: 'Jon Jones was doing a lot of that stuff too back in the day and many other fighters throughout history.

'I don't know what's real on the internet and what's not real on the internet.

'I don't know timing-wise; in one of them he's got a beard, in one of them he doesn't have a beard.

I have no idea, I don't know if any of that is real or true or whatever.

'But Conor is not a dumb guy and this is obviously a big fight for him. He's calling it the best comeback in the history of sports and all of that stuff. So we'll see what happens.'