It’s just an occupational hazard.
Conor McGregor is no stranger to opponents withdrawing, in fact Rafael dos Anjos is the SIXTH fighter in less than five years to pull out of a bout with the Notorious due to injury.
In fact, half of McGregor’s opponents since September 2011 have withdrawn due to injury. It’s a very high percentage that must be above the average for MMA withdrawals – perhaps opponents feel compelled to push themselves to the limit when they’re facing the Dubliner?
Niklas Backstrom
McGregor’s 11th professional opponent was due to be Swede Niklas Backstrom, until he reportedly fell and broke his hand – just before he was due to fly to Jordan for the Cage Warriors featherweight bout. At short notice McGregor fought Norway’s Aaron Jahnsen at lightweight instead, winning by first round TKO.
Jim Alers
Another hand injury stood between McGregor and the first defence of his Cage Warriors featherweight title in December 2012. Instead McGregor claimed the promotion’s lightweight title thanks to a first round knockout of Slovakian Ivan Buchinger at Cage Warriors 51.
Late-night news blast: Andy Ogle @thelittleaxe off UFC on @FOXSports1 card; @TheNotoriousMMA Conor McGregor now vs. Max Holloway @BlessedMMA
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 10, 2013
Andy Ogle
Fast forward to August 2013 and McGregor has enjoyed an eye-catching UFC debut victory over Marcus Brimage but his second fight with the promotion was supposed to be against Englishman Ogle, whose withdrawal due to injury paves the way for Max Holloway to fight McGregor at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston.
Cole Miller
Yet another hand injury – thumb this time – denied the American an opportunity to face McGregor at UFC Fight Night 46 in the 3 Arena. Diego Brandao did not make it through the first round as the home town favourite recorded his third UFC victory, via TKO, in July 2014.
Jose Aldo
The first time an injured Brazilian denied McGregor a shot at a UFC title. Aldo tried to tough it out but eventually succumbed to his broken ribs and, at just 10 days notice, Chad Mendes stepped in to fight the Notorious for the interim featherweight title. The American was defeated by second round TKO at UFC 189.
Rafael dos Anjos
Yet to be confirmed, but it appears a broken foot will make the UFC lightweight champion the SIXTH fighter in 12 pro fights to pull out of a bout with McGregor due to injury.
