It’s been a crazy week in MMA news, hasn’t it? And it just got even more hectic with Dana White’s official update on UFC 303.
McGregor vs. Chandler Postponed
Everybody’s wondering what’s been going on with Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, well as it turns out, the rumors are true: McGregor has suffered an injury in training camp and is out of the main event slot on June 29th, as first reported by Ariel Helwani on Thursday. His long-awaited fight with Chandler is being discussed for the months of August and September, however, nothing is finalized, according to Helwani.
This is the first time ever that “The Notorious” McGregor has pulled out of a fight in his UFC tenure, dating back to 2013.
With that said, the show must go on.
‘Poatan’ & Prochazka Swoop In To Save The Day (Again)
Following two weeks full of headaches for the UFC matchmakers, CEO White has finally landed on a new, high-profile main event with champion Alex Pereira stepping up to defend his light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka on less than 16 days’ notice. The two fought at UFC 295 last November, saving the card as the headliners as heavyweight Jon Jones had to withdraw from the main event.
Pereira defeated Prochazka with punches early on in their first encounter, in what was a premature stoppage by the referee to some. The light heavyweights would both return at UFC 300, racking up TKO wins at the historic event to put on yet another show at this year’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Iam going to be #THEPERFECTSTORM,” Prochazka wrote on Instagram following the news. “No space for mistakes
Just WIN/NOW/HERE\\.”
Former Champ Hill Also Out
Unfortunately, the UFC 303 main event between McGregor vs. Chandler wasn’t the only fight lost in the carnage this week. The co-main event between Jamahal Hill and Carlos Ulberg has also been cancelled, as a result of a knee injury from Hill. Ulberg loses out on the co-main spot but stays on the card against short-notice replacement and neighboring contender, Anthony Smith.
A Fresh Fight At Featherweight
As for the new co-headliner, former title challenger Brian Ortega will reportedly meet rising contender Diego Lopes in a fan-favorite fight at 145lbs. Lopes’ last win at UFC 300 was the biggest of his career as he starched Sodiq Yussuff to emerge himself a as a new player in the featherweight division. Ortega reminded the world he’s still among the best when he defeated former interim champ Yair Rodriguez in Mexico City earlier this year.
Check out the full line-up for UFC 303 below, taken from the wall of Dana White’s ‘War Room’.
#UFC303 pic.twitter.com/o2a0ZJY23L
— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) June 14, 2024
