MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has raised fresh concerns over the Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight.
Speculation grew when the UFC canceled the opening press conference in Dublin, leading to questions about the fight’s status.
While Chandler had reassured fans that the fight was still on just last week, Helwani’s recent update has added to the uncertainty.
In a statement, Helwani said: “The latest on UFC 303: Around this time last week, all the anxiety surrounding the UFC 303 main event seemed to start to dissipate.
By Wednesday, no more feelers about replacements were being sent out. All systems seemed to be a go (again). Later in the week, Chandler did an interview with The Pivot about it being all good, and on Saturday UFC was promoting it again on the ABC fight night telecast.
There was a scare about the fight being off, and the scare appeared to be no more.
“But since this morning, multiple sources are now saying feelers are being sent out again for June 29. For a replacement and/or new fight(s). In short, there seems to be pessimism all over again regarding the status of the 303 main event.
Actually even more pessimism – it seems – than on Monday last week after the presser was canceled at the last minute. Is this insurance? Due diligence? Emergency replacement mode? Remains to be seen. It’s all developing (again).
But it doesn’t appear as though we are out of the woods either way just yet. More to come, and hopefully, a definitive answer one way or the other in short order.”
McGregor’s last Octagon appearance was in July 2021, where he faced Dustin Poirier and suffered a horrific leg injury in their trilogy fight.