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

Desperate to replace Conor McGregor at UFC 303, the promotion sent out '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.

Dricus du Plessis eyes Khamzat Chimaev battle with UFC Saudi Arabia win: ‘I would love to fight him’

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis is all ears to a future title defense against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev…

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis is all ears to a future title defense against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev should he win next weekend at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia – however, is less than keen on fighting ex-champion, Robert Whittaker again if he beats the Chechen this month.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight kingpin, headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing the divisional crown in a controversial, and much debated split decision win over Sean Strickland.

dricus du plessis south africa 2023 1600x900

The victory kept the Pretoria native’s perfect promotional run in check since his 2020 debut with the organization to boot.

Dricus du Plessis eyes light heavyweight move chases title fight We've seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And linked with a summer comeback fight, du Plessis recently revealed he had agreed to defend his crown next in a rescheduled title fight with former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya – with the duo linked to a UFC 305 battle in Perth as soon as August.

Dricus du Plessis eyes Khamzat Chimaev title fight

Sharing his thoughts on other contenders whom may present themselves to him in the future, du Plessis welcomed the chance to face off with Chimaev – as soon as he beats Whittaker as the prepare to fight next weekend in Riyadh.

gettyimages 1748811225 612x612 1 — ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 21: Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates prepares to face Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in a middleweight fight during the UFC 294 event at Etihad Arena on October 21, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“Should he (Khamzat Chimaev) beat (Robert) Whittaker, I would love to fight Khamzat,” Dricus du Plessis told Fight Wave. “In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot. Honestly [I] would love to see him and (Sean) Strickland fight it out for [a] number one contender fight.”

“I was willing to fight Strickland, Khamzat, (Israel) Adesanya,” Dricus du Plessis continued. “I’m champion. I have to fight who they [the UFC] give me. I want to fight the best guy. Strickland fans were like, ‘Fight him again.’ I said, ‘Guys, I will fight him again.’ I don’t make that decision [when].”

Would you like to see Dricus du Plessis fight Khamzat Chimaev this year?

Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for titles in UFC return—he’s coming for heads: ‘I don’t need any more belts’

Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for belts—he’s coming for heads. After surrendering the middleweight world title for the second time…

Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for belts—he’s coming for heads.

After surrendering the middleweight world title for the second time in the span of a year, ‘The Last Stylebender’ opted to take some time away from the fight game to heal and reassess. It now looks as though the time to sit back and relax is coming to an end as Adesanya has already begun gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.

In a video clip shared on his YouTube channel, the former two-time titleholder made it clear that when he steps back inside the cage this year, it won’t be in pursuit of another belt. He already has plenty of those.

“People are always like ‘I hope you get the belt back’… I have belts,” Adesanya said. “I don’t need any more belts. I’m coming for heads. That’s what I want to do. Just a few.”

Israel Adesanya rumored for middleweight title fight with Dricus du plessis at uFC 305

Though no official announcements have been made, all signs currently point toward Adesanya making his return at UFC 305 when the promotion heads back to the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Standing across from him inside the Octagon will (likely) be reigning 185-pound champ Dricus Du Plessis. The pair appeared to be on a collision course following an incredibly intense face-off at UFC 290 following DDP’s big win over Robert Whittaker.

However, Sean Strickland’s lights-out performance against the ‘Stylebender’ two months later threw a kink in those plans.

With ‘Stillknocks’ dethroning Strickland at UFC 297, he and Adesanya are once again on a path that will ultimately toward one another.

Israel Adesanya teases UFC return fight in new training footage amid link to clash with Dricus du Plessis: ‘I’m dialled in’

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has claimed he is “dialled in” in new training footage, amid continued links…

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has claimed he is “dialled in” in new training footage, amid continued links to a UFC 305 title siege against arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis in the promotion’s return to Australia.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight titleholder and prior title challenger at the light heavyweight limit, has been out of action since UFC 293 back in September of last year in the organization’s last trip ‘Downunder’.

Israel Adesanya reveals he's getting ready for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis — Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank – USA TODAY Sports

Setting an unwanted record in the process, City Kickboxing star, Adesanya became the first champion in Octagon history to drop his belt twice in the space of a calendar year, in the form of a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland – who prevailed with a decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 over the weekend.

And linked with another immediate title fight comeback in his return from his sidelining, Adesanya has been suggested as an ideal candidate to headline UFC 305 in August, with a title grudge fight against du Plessis reportedly in the works for the RAC Arena in Perth.

Israel Adesanya shows off new training snaps

Sharing new photos from his training camp ahead of an expected summer comeback, Adesanya has added fuel to the fire on an impending return, claiming he is “dialled in” once more following his sidelining.

“Just hang up, I’m dialled in,” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account.

Sharing a distinct rivalry with Pretoria native, du Plessis – the South African star improved his unbeaten run in the promotion back in January, as well as wrapping up middleweight spoils in the form of a split decision win over the above-mentioned, Strickland in the main event of UFC 297 in Canada.

Who wins in a future title affair: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Belal Muhammad believes Islam Makhachev could ‘skip over 170’ and ‘beat Dricus Du Plessis right now’

Screw 170, Belal Muhammad thinks Islam Makhachev could jump straight up to middleweight if he wants to add a…

Screw 170, Belal Muhammad thinks Islam Makhachev could jump straight up to middleweight if he wants to add a second strap to his collection.

As Makhachev steps into the Octagon for his third defense of the lightweight world title at UFC 302, Muhammad is preparing to embark on his own journey toward UFC gold. On July 27, ‘Remember The Name’ will head to Manchester for a clash with current welterweight champ Leon Edwards.

Though Makhachev is focused on getting past Poirier on Saturday (June 1), the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ has openly spoken of his desire to challenge for the welterweight title in a bid to become a two-division champion. Should he dispatch ‘The Diamond’ in The Garden State, that could very well be his next step.

That could leave Belal Muhammad feeling a little uneasy as he prepares to compete for the 170-pound crown. However,’ Remember The Name’ rest easy knowing that even if he’s successful in his first title bid at UFC 304, Makhachev’s path to champ-champ status won’t go through him.

“I would never fight him, 100 percent,” Muhammad told MMA Fighting. “But honestly, he could go up to 185 and beat [Dricus] du Plessis right now. I think he’s that good, really. I think he could go up there and be that two-division champ. Skip over 170 for a little bit, let me beat a couple of these younger guys, and then I’ll go up to 185.”

Belal Muhammad believes makhachev will be dominating for years to come

Unlike his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who bailed after just three lightweight title defenses, Islam Mahhachev plans on becoming the most dominant champion in the history of the sport — a task Belal Muhammad truly believes the Dagestani can achieve in due time.

“He has plenty of time,” Muhammad said of Makhachev. “He’s dominating his fights. He’s winning easily. I think he’s going to continue on that path of just being a dominant champion. He’s got plenty of years left. He said something about it recently in an interview, saying, ‘I’m still hungry, I’m still here.’ So he’s got a long time to go.”

Dricus Du Plessis eyes Champ-Champ status with wins over Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev

Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on champ-champ status. But before ‘Stillknocks’ can focus on picking up a…

Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on champ-champ status. But before ‘Stillknocks’ can focus on picking up a second undisputed belt, he’s got some work to do in the middleweight division.

In January, DDP scored a split-decision victory over Sean Strickland to claim the 185-pound crown, setting the stage for a long-awaited showdown with former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya. When and where that takes place is yet to be determined, but Du Plessis is nonetheless excited for the opportunity to test his skills against one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen, solidifying his own legacy in the process.

“Beating a guy like Robert Whittaker, becoming a world champion, and then beating one of the greats like Israel Adesanya? How are you not motivated by that? I’ve seen Adesanya as my even when I wasn’t in the UFC,” Du Plessis said on The Sias du Plessis Show.

“I’ve seen him as the guy that I need to beat to become the best. He set the bar. I mean, long before I was in the UFC, he was the champion, and he set the bar of what you need to be to be a champion” (h/t MMA Mania).

Dricus Du Plessis plotting path to light heavyweight title

Should DDP get the job done against Israel Adesanya, he’ll turn his attention toward the winner of the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.

Having already earned a win over ‘The Reaper’ at UFC 290, Du Plessis understandably sees more value in a potential fight with ‘Borz.’

Not only would it help his bid to become the greatest middleweight of all time — it would bring him one step closer to adding another title to his collection.

“If Khamzat beats Whittaker, beating Khamzat? That earns you a spot at light heavyweight,” he said. “If you look at the the greats, the boogeyman, everybody seems to be scared of Khamzat. I would love that fight.”

“But like I said, I have no problem defending my belt a few times before that. For now, my focus is 100% on the middleweight division and my next fight, which in all likelihood would be Israel Adesanya. And that’s where all my focus is. None of the other plans can come together without this.”