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Conor McGregor is one of the biggest superstars in all of sports, and he's the brightest star the UFC has ever seen. "The Notorious" ascended in popularity partly thanks to his entertaining press conferences, but his win over Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in just 13 seconds took him to a whole new level. However, the former Lightweight and Featherweight Champion has not stepped in the Octagon since July of 2021 after suffering a gruesome broken tibia.
In April, UFC president Dana White announced McGregor would return from his nearly three-year layoff to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but the fight has an uncertain status after a scheduled press conference in Dublin, Ireland, was canceled. The organization also slowed down its promotion of the headlining fight for a brief period, causing UFC fans on social media to panic.
Is McGregor still fighting Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29? We have the latest update.
6/13 UPDATE - McGregor vs. Chandler at UFC 303
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani took to X on Thursday, saying the fight is in jeopardy of being canceled:
It’s not 100% off but I’d be extremely surprised at this point if it remains and they are actively negotiating with multiple camps to find a replacement. It’s all up in the air still but they are proceeding at this time like they need a replacement. https://t.co/eAPXGs7KmJ
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 13, 2024
Is Conor McGregor Fighting at UFC 303?
The UFC has begun promoting the McGregor-Chandler fight once again, and in a recent appearance on The Pivot podcast, Chandler said, "Where we are right now, there’s a lot of speculation, but the fight is on. June 29. It’s happening.” On June 3, McGregor released a statement on X and said, "I can’t wait to put on the greatest all-time show in the Octagon."
In consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control. I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience and appreciate all your passion and support. I can’t wait to put on the greatest…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 3, 2024
This is obviously great news, but a lot can happen between now and the fight. Neither McGregor nor Chandler fought in 2023, and both are coming off losses to Dustin Poirier. UFC fans should keep their fingers crossed and hope both guys stay healthy in the lead-up to the main event scheduled for five rounds. Late-notice dropouts can and do happen all the time.
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Matchup Preview
McGregor is 1-3 in his last four fights, and his most recent victory came against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 on January 18, 2020. Chandler hasn't earned a "W" since May of 2022 against Tony Ferguson, and he's also 1-3 in his last four bouts.
Both fighters are always looking to put on a show, and it would be somewhat of a surprise if this contest goes the distance. Look for Chandler to put on the pressure early, which could put him in danger of McGregor's vicious counter-left hook.
#workoutoftheday - you know you’re firing on all cylinders when even your miscues and messups work out in your favor. Having a blast with it. Flowin’ baby! #UFC303
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Walk On.
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See you at the top! pic.twitter.com/ZT4zlcjUzx— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) May 29, 2024
Most sportsbooks currently list the fight as close to a "pick 'em." With the fight taking place at Welterweight (170 pounds), the two exciting strikers could pack more punch than they have in lower weight classes.
