Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler explained: What we know about the uncertainty with UFC 303’s main event

UFC fans are biting their nails over the Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler situation. McGregor’s first fight in almost three years is set to headline UFC 303 in Las Vegas on June 29 during International Fight Week. Everything seemed to be going well until Sunday.

McGregor and Chandler would attend a sold-out press conference in McGregor’s hometown of Dublin. UFC president Dana White told reporters that he was booked on a plane to Dublin immediately after Saturday’s UFC 302 press conference. On Sunday morning, the UFC ended the event.

“The UFC 303 press conference scheduled for Monday, June 3 in Dublin, Ireland at the 3Arena has been postponed until further notice,” the UFC said in a statement. “We sincerely apologize to all fans who were planning to attend. When we have more information about a new date and time, we will share it immediately.”

McGregor broke his silence on Monday, but did not provide any clarity to fans. The former two-division UFC champion attributed the cancellation to external obstacles.

“In consultation with the UFC, today’s press conference has been canceled due to a number of obstacles beyond our control,” McGregor said. he wrote. “I apologize to my Irish fans and fans around the world for the inconvenience and thank you for all your passion and support. I can’t wait to put on the biggest show ever in the Octagon.”

The abrupt cancellation or postponement made people fear that the fight would fail. White and company remained silent on the situation. However, the fighters involved resorted to cryptic social media posts.

The only information moving the story forward on Tuesday morning comes from mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani. There are reports that there is some optimism that the fight will go ahead as planned, but that the UFC is testing other fighters.

“The hope is still that the fight continues”, Helwani tweeted Tuesday. “There is positivity, I would say. But they sent out feelers to see who could replace him, either as a replacement or as an entirely new fight at the top of the list. “

Helwani also stated that the cancellation of the press conference had nothing to do with legal or anti-doping issues.

“Nothing in relation to any kind of legal issue, incident of any kind, drama of any kind, crime of any kind, fight of any kind, alcohol, this, that, none of that is at play here,” Helwani said separately in “MMA time” podcast.

“There’s nothing related to any kind of drug testing, drug testing or anything like that.”

The panic over McGregor vs. Chandler points to two painful realities for the UFC in 2024: the calendar of events and rising ticket prices.

UFC held 43 events in 2023, averaging one event every 1.2 weeks. The promotion spreads its star power to accommodate its massive lineup, resulting in a lower average quality per card. McGregor’s last three cards have really relied heavily on his star power, but having a fight to hold the promotion’s annual tentpole event together is risky. UFC 303’s co-main event pits former short-lived champion Jamahal Hill – coming off a knockout loss – against the promotion’s 11th-ranked light heavyweight contender, Carlos Ulberg. Even that fight is a patchwork after Hill was scheduled to face Khalil Rountree before Rountree tested positive for a banned substance. Nothing leaves the page other than Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Page.

White regularly brags about UFC records. It is a legitimate achievement made possible by the strength of the UFC brand and public demand for its events. On May 11, White told reporters at a UFC Fight Night press conference that McGregor’s return to T-Mobile Arena has already generated “well over $20 million.” Chances are fans who paid between $405 and $3,005 for tickets, excluding dynamic pricing, aren’t thrilled about the possibility of missing out on UFC 303’s only major selling point, even though they are entitled to a refund if the main event fall apart.

UFC International Fight Week is less than four weeks away and its draw appears to be in jeopardy. The fight is officially scheduled for June 29th, but fans won’t rest easy until the promotion or one of the fighters involved provides clarity.