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

UFC followers are biting their nails over the standing of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler. McGregor’s first struggle in practically three years is anticipated to headline UFC 303 in Las Vegas on June 29 for Worldwide Combat Week. Every part gave the impression to be easy crusing till Sunday.

McGregor and Chandler have been set to participate in a sold-out press convention in McGregor’s house metropolis of Dublin. UFC president Dana White informed reporters he was booked for a aircraft to Dublin instantly after Saturday’s UFC 302 press convention. By Sunday morning, UFC pulled the plug on the occasion.

“The UFC 303 press convention scheduled for Monday, June 3 in Dublin, Eire at 3Arena has been postponed till additional discover,” UFC launched in a press release. “We sincerely apologize to all of the followers who have been planning to attend. When we now have additional data on a brand new date and time, we are going to share it instantly.”

McGregor broke his silence on Monday however failed to provide followers any readability. The previous two-division UFC champion chalked up the cancellation to outdoors obstacles.

“In session with the UFC, at the moment’s press convention was cancelled as a consequence of a collection of obstacles outdoors of our management,” McGregor wrote. “I apologize to my Irish followers, and followers around the globe, for the inconvenience and admire all of your ardour and help. I can not wait to placed on the best all-time present within the Octagon.”

The abrupt cancellation or postponement has folks fearing the struggle will fall by. White and firm have been radio silent concerning the state of affairs. In the meantime, the fighters concerned have resorted to cryptic social media posts.

The one data shifting the story ahead by Tuesday morning comes from blended martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani. There’s reportedly some optimism the struggle will transfer ahead as deliberate however that UFC is placing out feelers to different fighters.

“The hope continues to be that the struggle is on,” Helwani tweeted Tuesday. “There’s positivity, I might say. However they’ve despatched out feelers to see who would possibly be capable of fill in, both as a alternative or a completely new struggle on the prime of the invoice. Nonetheless growing, and nonetheless a while.”

Helwani additionally claimed the press convention cancellation had nothing to do with authorized or anti-doping points.

“Nothing on the subject of any type of authorized situation, incident of any variety, drama of any variety, prison factor of any variety, struggle of any variety, alcohol, this, that, like, none of that’s at play right here,” Helwani stated individually on “The MMA Hour” podcast.

“There’s nothing concerning any type of drug testing or anti-doping or something like that.”

The panic over McGregor vs. Chandler factors to 2 painful realities for UFC in 2024: its occasion calendar and rising ticket costs.

UFC held 43 occasions in 2023, averaging an occasion each 1.2 weeks. The promotion spreads out its star energy to accommodate its mammoth schedule leading to a decrease common high quality per card. The final three McGregor playing cards have certainly relied closely on his star energy, however having one struggle to carry collectively the promotion’s tentpole annual occasion is dangerous. UFC 303’s co-main occasion is short-lived former champion Jamahal Hill — coming off a KO loss — in opposition to the promotion’s No. 11 ranked gentle heavyweight, Carlos Ulberg. Even that struggle is a patchwork after Hill was scheduled to face Khalil Rountree earlier than Rountree examined optimistic for a banned substance. Nothing screams off the web page in addition to Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Web page.

White recurrently boasts about UFC’s record-setting gates. It is a reliable accomplishment made doable by the UFC’s model energy and public demand for his or her occasions. On Could 11, White informed reporters at a UFC Combat Night time press convention that McGregor’s return to the T-Cell Enviornment already generated “approach over $20 million.” Likelihood is the followers who paid between $405 and $3,005 for tickets, excluding dynamic pricing, aren’t thrilled about probably lacking out on UFC 303’s solely main promoting level, regardless that they’d be entitled to a refund ought to the principle occasion disintegrate.

UFC Worldwide Combat Week is lower than 4 weeks away and its marquee draw seems to be in jeopardy. The struggle is formally slated for June 29 however followers will not relaxation straightforward till the promotion or one of many fighters concerned offers readability.