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UFC CBO Hunter Campbell flew to Dublin in last-ditch attempt to save Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler

UFC CBO Hunter Campbell flew to Dublin in last-ditch attempt to save Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler The UFC went to great lengths to try and salvage Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon. Weeks before…

The UFC went to great lengths to try and salvage Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon.

Weeks before he was scheduled to make his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sport’s history,” the promotion decided to pull the plug, but not before pulling out all the stops to salvage their biggest ticket of 2024. Per a report from Ariel Helwani, the UFC’s Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell, flew to McGregor’s native Dublin to try and save the main event from falling through.

Sadly, Campbell was unsuccessful, prompting the promotion to replace the fight with another high-stakes headliner. Instead of McGregor vs. Chandler, fans will now see a light heavyweight championship rematch as both reigning titleholder Alex Pereira and No. 1 ranked contender Jiri Prochazka will step in on short notice to save UFC 303.

The Promotion Adds two more big fights to UFC 302

Also added to the card was a co-main event clash between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes, as well as a contest between Carlos Ulberg and Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith. Ulberg was originally scheduled to face Jamahal Hill at the event, but ‘Sweet Dreams’ was forced to bout out due to an injury.

Fortunately, it sounds as though the injury that forced Conor McGregor out of the event is not severe.

At this time, it is unclear if the UFC will reschedule McGregor’s long-awaited fight with the former Bellator champion, but Helwani did add in his report that the promotion is eyeing a new date in either August or September.

Desperate to replace Conor McGregor at UFC 303, the promotion sent ‘Feelers’ to Max Holloway and Dricus Du Plessis

Before opting to completely scrap Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler from UFC 303, the promotion scrambled to find a…

Before opting to completely scrap Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler from UFC 303, the promotion scrambled to find a replacement opponent for the former Bellator champion.

On Thursday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that McGregor was officially out of the long-awaited clash after suffering an injury, presumably while training. As a result, fans inside T-Mobile Arena and those watching around the world will instead see light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira put his title on the line against Jiri Prochazka in a rematch of their November 2023 showdown.

Offering a timeline of the events that ultimately led to McGregor’s withdrawal, The MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani revealed that the promotion had sent out some “feelers” in hopes of finding Chandler a suitable replacement. Among the names was none other than the promotion’s newly minted BMF titleholder, Max Holloway.

‘Blessed’ claimed the bragging rights belt with an insane buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje and UFC 300 in April.

Holloway wasn’t the only fighter the UFC considered to replace Conor McGregor

Helwani went on to reveal that Dricus Du Plessis, the current UFC middleweight titleholder, was also discussed as a potential opponent for ‘Iron.’ Clearly, none of those panned out, but Helwani did make it clear that neither Holloway nor ‘Stillknocks’ made it very far into negotiations.

As it stands, the UFC has not revealed a new date for McGregor’s scrap with Chandler, though Helwani also reported that the promotion is looking to reschedule the fight for August or September.

In addition to the shift in the main event, UFC 303 also received a new co-headliner as Brian Ortega is set to take on Diego Lopes in the penultimate bout.

Also added to the card was a fight between Carlos Ulberg and Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith. Originally, Ulberg was set to square off with Jamahal Hill, but ‘Sweet Dream’ exited the contest due to a knee injury.

Colby Covington trolls Michael Chandler following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 302

Colby Covington is trolling Michael Chandler hard after the former Bellator champion’s highly anticipated clash with Conor McGregor was…

Colby Covington is trolling Michael Chandler hard after the former Bellator champion’s highly anticipated clash with Conor McGregor was scrapped.

After what has felt like a lifetime of reports and rumors, it felt like we were finally closing on the Irishman’s return to the Octagon after nearly three years on the shelf. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case after UFC CEO Dana White announced that McGregor was officially out of the June 29 headliner due to an undisclosed injury.

Instead, fans will see a light heavyweight championship rematch between reigning titleholder Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.

Around this same time last year, Chandler appeared on FOX News alongside Covington. Unsurprisingly, things got chippy between the two, particularly when ‘Chaos’ suggested that “deep down inside,” Chandler knew that he would never fight McGregor.

“Michael can say whatever he wants,” Covington said. “He still believes he’s fighting Conor McGregor. He’s not going to fight Conor McGregor. He knows deep down inside.”

Covington called back to that interview via his Instagram Stories, kicking Chandler once he was already down.

Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t ignore the fact that in this instance, Covington was right. … For now.

UFC Reportedly Eyeing August or September for Conor McGregor’s Rescheduled Return

Dana White and Co. have not announced any details regarding the cancelation of McGregor vs. Chandler—specifically whether or not the fight would be rescheduled for a future fight card. However, MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani has reported that the bout is expected to receive a new date, likely sometime in August or September.

McGregor’s last appearance inside the Octagon came at UFC 264 in July 2021. Meeting lightweight fan favorite Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout, the Irishman went down in the waning moments of round one after suffering a horrific leg injury.

Nothing has been confirmed, but speculation is that the injury McGregor suffered was to the same leg he broke against Poirier. Fortunately, it sounds like it won’t keep ‘Mystic Mac’ on the shelf for too long.

Michael Chandler addresses failed Conor McGregor fight at UFC 303: ‘He was never the safe bet as an opponent’

Michael Chandler has reacted to his officially cancelled return against former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor later this month at…

Michael Chandler has reacted to his officially cancelled return against former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor later this month at UFC 303 for the first time – claiming the Dubliner never presented himself as a “safe bet” in terms of opposition.

Chandler, the current number six ranked lightweight contender, has been sidelined for almost two years, most recently featuring at UFC 281 against common-foe, former interim division champion, Dustin Poirier in a third round rear-naked choke loss.

And missing out on a return at UFC 303 during International Fight Week this month, Chandler was removed from the pay-per-view card ahead of a fight with McGregor, with the Dubliner sidelined through an undisclosed injury.

Set to remain out of action for at least another two months, McGregor is reportedly already targeted to fight Chandler in either August or September of this year, in a rescheduled showdown.

Michael Chandler reacts to scrapped UFC 303 fight with Conor McGregor

Addressing his miscued fight with the former two-division champion, Chandler claimed a bout with McGregor was never a “safe bet”.

“@thenotoriousmma was never the safe bet as an opponent,” Michael Chandler posted on his official Instagram account. “He was always the highest risk. Maybe the biggest reward… but the biggest opportunity. There is no right or wrong in business… you only take risk to grow, or remain comfortable where you are. Embrace the uncertainty. Seek the opportunity. Take calculated risk… That’s what @mikechandlermma does.”

Michael Chandler shared the following via. his Instagram:

“@TheNotoriousMMA was never the safe bet as an opponent, he was always the highest risk. Maybe the highest reward… but the biggest opportunity.

There is no right or wrong in business… you only take risk to grow, or… pic.twitter.com/kX8m1prXOV

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 14, 2024

“And if it doesn’t go as planned… redirect the course to something even more great,” Michael Chandler continued. “Our respect to the man who represents the fight world better than anyone we’ve ever known. NO FEAR. NO LIMITS. NO EXCUSES. Make hard work your passion – who cares who’s on the other side of the punch.”

Do yo expect to see Conor McGregor fight Michael Chandler later this year?

Report – Conor McGregor not dealing with ‘Severe’ injury amid UFC 303 exit, fight return likely for late summer

Now officially out of his scheduled UFC 303 main event fight with former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler later…

Now officially out of his scheduled UFC 303 main event fight with former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler later this month, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor is reportedly not dealing with a “severe” injury, and is likely to return in a rescheduled fight later this summer.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, was officially ruled out of his set return at UFC 303 later this month during International Fight Week by promotional CEO, Dana White, due to an undisclosed injury.

Conor McGregor shares cryptic video amid UFC 303 fight status worry he's out and he knows it

And in his place: a short-notice light heayweight title fight rematch between Alex Pereira and former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka has been booked to take headlining honors at UFC 303 at the end of this month.

Conor McGregor not dealing with “severe” injury

According to an initial report from Ariel Helwani, McGregor, who has yet to see the nature of his injury disclosed, is not dealing with a “severe” setback, and has been touted to fight potentially as soon as the end of August – if not sometime in September.

Sidelined since 2021, McGregor most recently headlined UFC 264 in a trilogy rubber match against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier – suffering a debilitating first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat, after fracturing his left tibia and fibula against the Lafayette striker.

Replacement fights floated again for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 303 there's pessimism

Furthermore, the above-mentioned report explains that despite noted aspirations from Conor McGregor to headline a UFC 306 card at the Las Vegas Sphere, the promotion are likely to move in a different direction that booking him against Chandler at the event, with other fights already in the works for the inaugural event at the monumental venue.

The removal of McGregor from his UFC 303 return comes as just the third occasion in which he has withdrawn from a fight during his professional career.

Conor McGregor rips alleged $500,000 PPV buy rate for UFC 302 card a nothing burger — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Ahead of a Cage Warriors featherweight title fight with UFC alum, Jim Alers back in 2021 in Jordan, McGregor was ruled out through injury.

Booked to headline UFC 200 back in 2016, McGregor’s reluctance to take part in pre-fight media obligations ahead of a rematch with Nate Diaz ruled him from a welterweight rematch.

Do you expect to see Conor McGregor fight at the end of the summer/

Breaking – Alex Pereira set to fight Jiri Prochazka in short notice title rematch at UFC 303

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira is slated to headline UFC 303 in a short-notice turnaround against former titleholder,…

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira is slated to headline UFC 303 in a short-notice turnaround against former titleholder, Jiri Prochazka in a rematch – with the card reshuffled entirely overnight.

Set to meet on just over two weeks notice, Pereira and Prochazka will replace a scheduled welterweight main event fight between former two-division champion, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler, with the former titleholder ruled out due to an undisclosed injury.

Alex Pereira headlines UFC 303 against Jiri Prochazka in a short-notice re-run

UFC CEO, Dana White revealed that Alex Pereira would fight Jiri Prochazka on short-notice at UFC 303 later this month during International Fight Week.

UFC 303 International Fight Week June 29th pic.twitter.com/P47PSsKcg0

— danawhite (@danawhite) June 14, 2024

Most recently headlining UFC 300, beyond suffering a fractured toe both pre and during his fight with Jamahal Hill, former two-weight champion, Pereira emerged relatively unscathed with a stunning opening round knockout victory in Las Vegas.

Alex Pereira calls for UFC 305 return in August Fighting in Perth would be fantastic — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

On that same card, Czech Republic finisher, Prochazka rallied in an all-European affair with Aleksandar Rakic, stopping the light heavyweight challenger with a blistering second round knockout win.

Along with Pereira’s draft in to take on Prochazka on short-notice, the above-mentioned, Hill has been ruled from a fight with Carlos Ulberg due to a knee injury – with former title challenger, Anthony Smith taking on the latter on short-notice.

Alex Pereira tipped to enter GOAT debate with third title fight victory over Jon Jones UFC — Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, an eye-catching featherweight clash between former title challenger, Brian Ortega and streaking star, Diego Lopes has also been added to the card – taking co-main event status at the T-Mobile Arena.

First fighting back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Pereira took on Prochazka in a vacant light heavyweight headliner – in another reworked main event bout at UFC 285.

jiri prochazka czech republic faces 858969301 — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic faces off against Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Snatching the 205lbs crown, Pereira stopped the returning Prochazka with a second round knockout win, handing the latter his first promotional defeat.

Who wins at UFC 303 later this month: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?