CONOR McGREGOR stepped out in public for the first time since revealing the injury that forced him out of UFC 303.
The Irishman was set to face Michael Chandler on June 29 but for the first time in his UFC career, he pulled out of the fight.
And after a period of silence, McGregor took to social media to reveal a broken toe suffered in training forced his withdrawal.
Just days later, the ex-UFC champion was at the famed 3Arena in Dublin to corner his team-mate and good pal Sinead Kavanagh.
Kavanagh was beaten by Arlene Blencowe at Bellator Dublin with McGregor in her corner for the bout.
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McGregor, wearing a grey tracksuit with a vest underneath, was seen playing to the crowd as he was given a heroes welcome.
The UFC legend, 35, has not fought since July 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier, 35.
He gained a reputation during his meteoric rise for fighting through injury and never pulling out.
But with so much on the line in his return, McGregor insisted he could not take the risk of fighting Chandler, 38, injured.
He wrote: "It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again.
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"That walk has been seen. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100 per cent Conor McGregor.
"The fans deserve it and we are getting close. A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up," McGregor wrote.
"That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back. I’ve got too. I’ve got two fights left on my contract.
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"I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time.
"Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest. Ya know yaself.
"But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not."
