Fresh doubts loom over the highly anticipated Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight.
‘Notorious’ is set to return to the octagon against the American in the main event at UFC 303 on June 29, hosted at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Fans eagerly awaiting McGregor’s comeback were alarmed when the launch press conference was abruptly postponed last week.
McGregor issued a statement saying the cancellation was due to circumstances beyond their control.
Chandler then hinted at leaving his training camp, posting: “If you’re looking for me, I’ll be out in Tennessee. No way out of the life we chose. Walk On. See you at the top!”
However, Chandler attempted to calm the waters, insisting the fight was still on, saying, “Yeah, the fight’s happening.”
Despite Chandler’s assurance, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani provided a concerning update about UFC 303’s headliner just two weeks before the event.
On social media, Helwani shared, “Around this time last week, all the anxiety surrounding the UFC 303 main event seemed to start to dissipate. By Wednesday, no more feelers about replacements were being sent out.
“All systems seemed to be a go (again). Later in the week, Chandler did an interview with The Pivot about it being all good, and on Saturday UFC was promoting it again on the ABC fight night telecast. There was a scare about the fight being off and the scare appeared to be no more.
“But since this morning, multiple sources are now saying feelers are being sent out again for June 29. For a replacement and/or new fight(s). In short, there seems to be pessimism all over again regarding the status of the 303 main event.
“Actually even more pessimism – it seems – than on Monday last week after the presser was cancelled at the last minute.
“Is this insurance? Due diligence? Emergency replacement mode? Remains to be seen. It’s all developing (again).
“But it doesn’t appear as though we are out of the woods either way just yet. More to come, and hopefully a definitive answer one way or the other in short order.”
Neither fighter nor the UFC has confirmed or denied the fight’s status.
McGregor hasn’t fought since his leg break in his defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
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