Well-known MMA journalist Ariel Helwani thinks UFC 300 may lack a big mainstream fight.
UFC 300 is scheduled to take place on April 13. UFC CEO Dana White has stated publicly that he will stack the card to the point where fans are blown away by the booking of the first prelim fight. Despite White’s bold claim, some have wondered just how loaded the event can be with the UFC already having big fights lined up for PPV events prior to 300, and Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler not being a part of the show.
Ariel Helwani On Potential UFC 300 Mistake
During a special awards show edition of “The MMA Hour,” Ariel Helwani discussed the UFC’s decision to book McGregor vs. Chandler two months after its biggest show of 2024, and whether or not that is a mistake.
“Remember, I told you a long time ago I don’t feel like they want him on 300 because they feel like they can get their big number just by 300 alone, just by that number alone,” Helwani said. “Stack the deck with as many big fights as possible, and then you get them later on down the line International Fight Week, whatever it is, and you get two bites at that million buy apple, so to speak. I personally think it’s a little bit of a mistake given the landscape right now, given who’s available, given the big names fighting 298, 299, 297, I don’t see the big fight out there.”
Who Isn’t Available For UFC 300?
Helwani went on to list some names who have been rumored for UFC 300, but will not be fighting on the historic card.
“I asked around about Izzy, I don’t think he’ll be on there,” Helwani said. “There’s some talk about Izzy-Pereira, I don’t think that’s gonna happen, maybe that changes. There’s some talk about Masvidal, right? Masvidal, he came out and said, ‘Unretired.’ Masvidal’s not on that card. He’s not referring to 300, in case you’re wondering. There was some talk about Nate Diaz, Diaz isn’t on that card. His future plans don’t include the UFC, and in particular 300.”
Here is the full video of Ariel Helwani assessing the UFC’s handling of UFC 300:
