The main event of UFC 303 appears to be in serious jeopardy, with the fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandor once again in doubt.
A rollercoaster week which saw the abrupt cancellation of a press conference in Dublin throw doubt over the McGregor-Chandler fight going ahead, followed by growing optimism the fight would still go ahead, has led to fresh concerns that the June 29 main event may once again be in jeopardy.
“The positivity that was talked about just a week ago is nowhere to be found. Pessimism,” UFC insider Ariel Helwani said.Wednesday Afternoon “MMA Hour”“They are [UFC] They are exploring, they are making offers. This is where we are, but it’s very much in limbo… it’s not a good situation.”
Helwani had already reported on Tuesday that UFC had initiated alternative plans and was in contact with fighters about “alternative bouts and/or new fights.”
“Is this insurance? Is this due diligence? Is this emergency exchange mode? We don’t know yet.” Helwani said in the X position.“Everything is evolving (again). But in any case, it doesn’t seem like we’re out of the woods yet. We hope that there will be more information and that we’ll have a clear answer soon, one way or another.”
When a press conference in Dublin on June 4 was cancelled just 12 hours beforehand, fans clamoured that the match had been cancelled, drawing public attention.
they again, ESPN has pulled advertising for UFC 303This has given fans even more confidence that the highly anticipated main event will be postponed.
Helwani report On June 4, the McGregor-Chandler fight remained “positive,” but UFC said it was “exploring who could fill the void, either as a replacement or as an entirely new bout at the top of the league.”
Chandler then posted a cryptic message on social media, casting even more doubt over the match.
“If you’re looking for me you’ll find me in Tennessee. There is no way out of the life we’ve chosen,” Chandler, 38, wrote on June 5. “Keep walking. See you at the top!”
After the dust settled, things seemed to be trending upwards.
Helwani reported that there is growing optimism that the McGregor vs. Chandler fight will take place at UFC 303. Chandler appeared on “The Pivot” podcast Ryan Clark said a fight is happening.
But the latest reports have further dampened the mood around what is expected to be one of the biggest fights in UFC history.
It’s unclear what’s causing the latest pessimism, and Helwani declined to reveal the reasons for the cancellation.
While UFC YouTube promotion for the June 29 main event is still happening, the larger concerns have yet to be alleviated.
McGregor, meanwhile, continues to be his usual self-satisfied presence on social media.
“See you soon… @ufc,” the fighter wrote at the end of his second-most recent Instagram post since taking on a fighter inside the Octagon.
McGregor has not fought in nearly three years, since suffering a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
The excitement surrounding the Irishman’s return was fuelled by his mentoring of up-and-coming fighters on Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” last summer.
According to UFC President Dana White,Tickets for this month’s event in Las Vegas have already topped $20 million, which would be a sports record.
McGregor has worked on many of the most highly-grossing fights in UFC history, including McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018.
UFC 303 will be the culmination of a fantastic month for combat sports, including UFC 302 on June 1, Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin on June 15 and UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Chimaev on June 22 in Riyadi, Saudi Arabia.
If McGregor is unable to fight Chandler, White and the UFC may have to scrap the welterweight bout entirely and find a new main card.
Other bouts scheduled for June 29 include former light heavyweight champion No. 3 Jamahal Hill versus No. 11 Carlos Ulberg and unbeaten No. 7 Ian Machado Garry versus up-and-coming No. 14 Michael “Venom” Page.
