Tag: UFC 303

Conor McGregor pleads with UFC exec Hunter Campbell to book comeback fight for June: ‘Get the ball rolling’

Conor McGregor pleads with UFC exec Hunter Campbell to book return in June get the ball rollingAs far as ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor is concerned – once his media tour for ‘Road House’ and St….

Conor McGregor pleads with UFC exec Hunter Campbell to book return in June get the ball rolling

As far as ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor is concerned – once his media tour for ‘Road House’ and St. Patrick Day festivities are behind him, he’s back in fight camp for an expected UFC return later this summer – urging Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell to book him against Michel Chandler on June 29. 

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has yet to feature inside the Octagon since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier back in 2021. 

Conor McGregor confirms return fight is set for UFC 303 in June against Michael Chandler
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

And calling continually for his return to fighting this year particularly, McGregor claimed he was set to headline a slated UFC 303 card at the end of June during International Fight Week – claiming he is set to take on Michael Chandler at the middleweight limit. 

However, as far as promotional CEO, Dana White is concerned, McGregor is not in line to fight on the card – revealing a comeback for the Dubliner is more likely to take place towards the fall of this year.

Conor McGregor campaigns for UFC 303 comeback

Travelling to the US earlier this week to embark on a promotional tour ahead of release of ‘Road House’ – where he stars alongside award-winning actor, Jake Gyllenhaal, McGregor urged organizational Chief Business Officer, Campbell to finally float a bout agreement his way to make a return at UFC 303 at the end of June.

Marshall Teague questions Conor McGregor's fighting scenes in new Road House film UFC

“I’m hoping to get it,” Conor McGregor said of a fight at UFC 303 during media obligations ahead of the premiere of ‘Road House’ later this month. “You can tell Hunter (Campbell), your man, that you know – to star to get the ball rolling.”

“You know, I’ve got this workload here,” Conor McGregor explained. “A lot of press, a lot of partying at St Patrick’s [Day], and after that, I’m in fight camp. I got my team here, we’re ready to go, so hopefully June 29. – please, and we’ll get going.” 

As well as a potential fight against The Ultimate Fighter 31 foe, Chandler, Straight Blast Gym native, McGregor has vowed to fight at UFC 306 in September to boot – calling for a trilogy rubber match against promotional veteran, Nate Diaz in a massive Las Vegas Sphere showdown. 

Conor McGregor vows to win BMF title in UFC return offers Nate Diaz trilogy fight

Expected return foe, Chandler has, however, maintained his expectation to fight McGregor at the end of June – vowing to take the ex-champion’s “head off” in their heated clash.

Do you think Conor McGregor makes his return at UFC 303?

Michael Chandler promises to take Conor McGregor’s ‘Head off’ in summer fight at UFC 303: ‘It’s going to happen’

Michael Chandler promises to take Conor McGregor's 'head off' this summer at UFC 303: 'It's going to happen'Michael Chandler remains confident that he will step inside the Octagon with Conor McGregor this summer. It’s been more…

Michael Chandler promises to take Conor McGregor's 'head off' this summer at UFC 303: 'It's going to happen'

Michael Chandler remains confident that he will step inside the Octagon with Conor McGregor this summer.

It’s been more than a year since the UFC revealed that the Irish megastar’s first opponent since suffering a brutal leg break against Dustin Poirier would be the former Bellator MMA champion. Since then, the two have traded verbal jabs and even went toe-to-toe on the 31st season of the promotion’s long-running reality series, The Ultimate Fighter. Yet after all that, we still have no official date for their seemingly mythical matchup.

However, that hasn’t stopped both Chandler and McGregor from making bold claims about the bout. On New Year’s Eve, ‘Mystic Mac’ suggested that his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history” would go down this summer during the UFC’s annual International Fight Week festivities in Las Vegas.

Michael Chandler agrees to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 300 I accept see you soon
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

While UFC CEO Dana White has shied away from confirming McGregor’s statement, Michael Chandler backed up the former two-division titleholder’s words during a recent interview.

“You’re going to get to watch me fight Conor this summer,” Chandler told The Schmo. “It’s going to happen. I believe June is going to happen. Just stay tuned. We got UFC 299 now. UFC 300 is going to be fun, I’ll be at 300. Then you’ll have 301 and 302… Whatever they are and then me and Conor. I’m going to go out there and take his head off.

Michael Chandler Sits as a slight favorite against conor mcGregor

After the promotion’s massive UFC 300 card on April 13, the next two pay-per-view events are expected to emanate from Rio de Janeiro and Newark, New Jersey before returning to Sin City on June 29 for UFC 303 — the culmination of this year’s International Fight Week.

Despite a middling 2-3 record since making his promotional debut in January 2021, Michael Chandler remains one of the lightweight division’s most beloved fighters courtesy of his balls-to-the-wall style that has already delivered some instant classics against the likes of Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier.

Chandler’s two wins inside the Octagon came via a pair of spectacular knockouts against division fan favorites Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson.

He is currently listed as a slight favorite to come out on top against Conor McGregor, sitting at -130 while the Irishman holds at +110.

Who wins this summer in a potential fight: Michael Chandler or Conor McGregor?

Conor McGregor again confirms return fight will take place at UFC 303 in June: ‘Yeah call that’

Conor McGregor confirms return fight is set for UFC 303 in June against Michael ChandlerDespite claims from promotional CEO, Dana White how former two-division champion, Conor McGregor may be sidelined until the fall…

Conor McGregor confirms return fight is set for UFC 303 in June against Michael Chandler

Despite claims from promotional CEO, Dana White how former two-division champion, Conor McGregor may be sidelined until the fall of this year, the Dubliner has claimed his comeback clash will take place at UFC 303 on June 29. next – against Michael Chandler during International Fight Week this summer.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the organization’s banner, has been sidelined from the Octagon since 2021, most recently fracturing his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to incoming UFC 299 co-headliner, Dustin Poirier.

And linked with a return to the Octagon continually in the last 18 months, McGregor, who is currently the most tested athlete on the promotion’s books as part of their newly installed anti-doping policy, has submitted four separate drug test samples to the programme since the beginning of 2024.

Confirming plans at the beginning of the annum to headline UFC 303 at the end of June, McGregor had claimed he would fight the aforementioned, Chandler at the middleweight limit debut for both – atop the International Fight Week card.

Conor McGregor confirms UFC 303 fight with Michael Chandler

And despite protests from promotional boss, White, who appears steadfast that the soon-to-be 36-year-old will remain sidelined until beyond the summer, McGregor claimed he is still set to fight on June 29. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“June 29.” Conor McGregor told Adam Glyn when asked when he would be fighting Michael Chandler in his return to the UFC. “June 29. – yeah, call that.” 

Earlier this week, McGregor further claimed the promotion is aware of his intentions to fight in September to boot – in the main event of a UFC 306 card at the monumental Las Vegas Sphere during Mexican Independence Day weekend, in a trilogy rubber match with long-time foe, Nate Diaz. 

Do you think Conor McGregor fights in June?

Diego Lopes Highlights Two Opponents He’d Like To Face In Sphere Return After UFC 303 Win

UFC featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes has his sights set on two options for his expected matchup at the Sphere this September. Lopes’ outing at this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view event was among the biggest stories throughout International Fight Week, as he co-headlined in incredible circumstances. After answering a short-notice call to face Brian Ortega on […]

Continue Reading Diego Lopes Highlights Two Opponents He’d Like To Face In Sphere Return After UFC 303 Win at MMA News.

UFC featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes has his sights set on two options for his expected matchup at the Sphere this September.

Lopes’ outing at this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view event was among the biggest stories throughout International Fight Week, as he co-headlined in incredible circumstances.

After answering a short-notice call to face Brian Ortega on the June 29 card following the original co-main event falling through, the Mexican-based Brazilian stepped up once again when “T-City” couldn’t make the featherweight limit last Friday morning.

On fight day, however, Lopes found himself back on the scales, this time to weigh in for a 165-pound catchweight contest against Dan Ige. That came about after Ortega was struck by illness hours before UFC 303.

Lopes ultimately emerged victorious over his late-notice replacement opponent, grinding out a unanimous decision victory across three rounds of action inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Pre-fight, Lopes had already announced his intention to make the turnaround to fight at the Sphere in September. And having gone above and beyond last week, it would appear that the UFC is unsurprisingly set to grant that wish…

Lopes Calls For Rescheduled Ortega Fight Or Volkanovski Clash At The Sphere

During a backstage media scrum at T-Mobile Arena, Lopes reflected on his tumultuous fight week and victorious performance at UFC 303 while in conversation with reporters.

Responding to a question regarding his next fight from Caroline Pearce of TNT Sports, the Mexican-based Brazilian reiterated his plan to make the walk inside the Sphere for Riyadh Season Noche UFC.

And the surging featherweight also had a couple of opponents in mind…

“I would really love to fight on the Sphere (card). If you think about this, it’s such a special day, Mexican Independence Day weekend. I live in Mexico. It would be amazing to fight,” Lopes said. “They could just basically reschedule the fight against Ortega, I’d love that.

“If that’s not available, I’d love to have a fight against Alexander Volkanovski. I think that would be a great fight as well,” Lopes continued. “I think we need to sit down with the UFC and check what the plans are, but I think it should be somebody in the top five that I should be fighting with.”

When quizzed on the possibility of rescheduling Ortega vs. Lopes for the September 14 event during his post-event press conference, UFC CEO Dana White noted that the promotion needs to gauge “T-City’s” availability and plans.

Volkanovski, meanwhile, has been taking a break from competition ever since losing the featherweight title in violent fashion against Ilia Topuria in February.

While he’s been firm in stating that the gold will be on the line in his comeback fight, perhaps the allure of the Sphere could tempt the Australian to do battle with one of the division’s fastest-rising names.

Continue Reading Diego Lopes Highlights Two Opponents He’d Like To Face In Sphere Return After UFC 303 Win at MMA News.

Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’

Given how he performed at UFC 303, welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page says he wouldn’t have wanted his hand raised. Page had his plans for a quick rise toward an all-English championship showdown with Leon Edwards stalled by Ian Garry at the International Fight Week pay-per-view late last month in Las Vegas. The pair opened […]

Continue Reading Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’ at MMA News.

Given how he performed at UFC 303, welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page says he wouldn’t have wanted his hand raised.

Page had his plans for a quick rise toward an all-English championship showdown with Leon Edwards stalled by Ian Garry at the International Fight Week pay-per-view late last month in Las Vegas.

The pair opened the main card, going the full three-round distance in a fight that left many in the community disappointed and less than satisifed.

That sentiment is shared by Page himself, a former Bellator veteran who was left frustrated with some of the decisions he made when sharing the Octagon with “The Future” at T-Mobile Arena.

Despite that, “MVP” was competitive throughout and even had some backing him to earn the nod on the scorecards. For UFC CEO Dana White, the bout played out in a manner that would have left a draw as a fair result.

Page, however, would have been unhappy to have been given anything but a defeat on the scorecards…

Page Relieved Not To Have Won With UFC 303 Performance

During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani last week, Page looked back on his sophomore display in the UFC, which came four months on from a successful debut at the expense of Kevin Holland in Miami.

The Londoner acknowledged that some thought he did enough (42.5 percent of 372 submitted fan scorecards on MMA Decisions). But Page says he would not have been in a celebratory mood had the three judges cageside seen things the same way.

“It’s nice to hear people kind of rooting for me,” Page said of those who scored the bout in his favor. “But regardless, I didn’t perform well. So if I somehow managed to get the win, I wouldn’t have been happy with that anyway. If it was somehow a draw, I still wouldn’t have been happy with that.

“I focus on me, and I did not perform the way I should have performed. I made so many mistakes; just silly things,” Page continued. “Yeah, so I wouldn’t have been happy with that. For me, I lost the fight. That’s the reality of it, regardless of what everyone’s saying. I should have done X, Y, Z, and I’m just eager to get back in.”

With that, Page will look to emerge victorious with an emphatic performance next time out. And given the extra motivation he’s touting post-UFC 303, he’s seemingly looking to return to winning ways and get his title ambitions back on track before the end of 2024.

Continue Reading Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’ at MMA News.

Michael ‘Venom’ Page Squashes Rumors Of Trying To Have Mole In Ian Garry’s Camp Pre-UFC 303: ‘I Don’t Need It, Especially For Him!’

Ahead of their bout at UFC 303, Ian Garry made an accusation regarding Michael “Venom” Page and his team. The Irishman claimed at the press conference on fight week that someone from Page’s circle had tried to gain information about Garry from someone in Brazil, where he spent his training camp. “MVP” didn’t react to […]

Continue Reading Michael ‘Venom’ Page Squashes Rumors Of Trying To Have Mole In Ian Garry’s Camp Pre-UFC 303: ‘I Don’t Need It, Especially For Him!’ at MMA News.

Ahead of their bout at UFC 303, Ian Garry made an accusation regarding Michael “Venom” Page and his team.

The Irishman claimed at the press conference on fight week that someone from Page’s circle had tried to gain information about Garry from someone in Brazil, where he spent his training camp.

“MVP” didn’t react to these comments at the time but Garry once again made reference to this after the fight where he picked up a unanimous decision win in the main card opener.

Page recently spoke about his side of this story where he made it clear that he knows nothing about Garry’s claims and wouldn’t want information anyways.

Michael ‘Venom’ Page Says He Doesn’t Know Of & Wouldn’t Want Someone Trying To Get Information For Him

Page appeared on The MMA Hour where he was asked for his interpretation of Garry’s accusations and what his reaction to them was at the time.

He says that whilst things like that do happen in MMA and has happened to him in the past, it’s not something that he was aware of in this training camp.

“When he was saying it I was like I don’t even know, I’m not entertaining it just because it sounded like he was just shouting a lot of stuff with an Irish accent so I was just like I don’t care. When I listened to it after, I was like I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s not me anyway. There’s always gonna be guys in people’s camps should I say that are gonna be reporting back. We’ve had that in our camp before and we find out who it is and kick them out, same stuff, but I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

Page also said that if Garry is correct in what he is saying, he would be incredibly frustrated that someone would try to go behind his back to get information without him wanting it.

He stated that due to the match-up that he was preparing for on June 29, he doesn’t believe that something like that would even give him an advantage – so the only effect it would have is downplaying his reputation.

“Yeah, 100% because I don’t need it. I don’t feel like I need it, especially for him and again, I try not to be disrespectful to him because it’s not personal at all but I don’t feel like I needed to get any extra information to do what I need to do, what I know I can do, or should have done should I say, in that last fight.”

Continue Reading Michael ‘Venom’ Page Squashes Rumors Of Trying To Have Mole In Ian Garry’s Camp Pre-UFC 303: ‘I Don’t Need It, Especially For Him!’ at MMA News.