Things are only looking worse after the sudden cancellation of a UFC 303 press conference in Dublin. Originally scheduled to feature Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler ahead of their much-awaited comeback bout on June 29, the UFC abruptly called off the event without giving any reasons behind it. This led to fans making wild accusations, ranging from the Irishman being too hungover, to him having gotten injured, to this being an indication that ‘Mac’ will not fight at UFC 303 after all. While the Irishman has come out with a tweet, apologizing for it and promising to put on a show in his next fight, things are not looking good, according to a recent report.
Conor McGregor last fought in 2021, in a bout against the legendary Dustin Poirier. The Irishman suffered a horrific leg snap during the clash and has been out for the past three years recovering from it. And because of this long lay-off, fans are eager to see the Irishman back in action. Clear evidence of this came a few weeks ago when Dana White announced that UFC 303 had already broken the record for the highest-grossing gate in UFC history.
Thanks largely, no doubt, to Conor McGregor. But after the cancellation of the press conference (which is widely being ascribed to McGregor), there is another ominous sign. According to a report by the news outlet ‘MMA Uncensored’, ESPN has removed advertisements for UFC 303: McGregor vs. Chandler from its website. This, of course, is being seen by some as further evidence that not everything is right with UFC 303, and points towards McGregor-Chandler going the Dublin press conference way, and potentially being called off.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Along with these signs, there are other grave omens for the bout, as Daniel Cormier pointed out on his ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ show.
‘DC’ worried about McGregor-Chandler after talking to UFC officials
Former champion and UFC Commentator Daniel Cormier has rung the alarm bells for the UFC 303 main event. A veritable UFC insider, Cormier, on his ESPN MMA show on YouTube, said that he had reached out to many in the promotion, asking for the reasons behind the press conference being called off. And the answer (or lack thereof), made ‘DC’ think something is going on in the background that may put McGregor’s comeback bout in jeopardy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“To me, it feels like this is a big deal. I have reached out to many in the organization to try and find out what happened, and when everyone is as tight-lipped as they are right now, to me that tells me it’s a little worrisome,” he said. What has Cormier so worried about the fate of McGregor-Chandler is UFC officials’ reluctance to even talk about this subject, which he took as a ‘worrisome’ sign.
Things do not look good for the much-awaited bout at the moment, and until the UFC, McGregor, or Chandler properly address the press-conference debacle, the fans are right to be worried. Do you think the UFC 303 card is in danger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.