Dana White Faces Challenges: McGregor's Return Cancelled and Saudi Event Reshuffled

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17 June 2024

Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, has had a whirlwind couple of weeks, navigating unexpected challenges with his characteristic resilience. The highly anticipated return of Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 has been cancelled, leaving fans and fighters in suspense.

McGregor's Return Postponed

After a three-year hiatus, McGregor's comeback was eagerly awaited. However, an unforeseen injury has put a damper on these plans. White commented on the situation:

"This is the business, man. This is how things go. From here, I'm not going to talk about this until he's healed and ready. Then we'll see what solutions we can find."

The details of McGregor's injury remain undisclosed, adding to the air of mystery and concern surrounding his future in the Octagon.

Last-Minute Changes in Saudi Arabia

As if the McGregor-Chandler cancellation wasn't enough, White faced another curveball with the upcoming event in Saudi Arabia. The main event had to be reshuffled just days before the fight. White elaborated on the situation:

"It's been interesting because we've had to change the main event in Saudi, which is this coming weekend. You know what I mean? There are just a few **** days left."

In a surprising turn of events, Ikram Aliskerov, a fighter with a record of 15-1 and whose only defeat came at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev, was added to the card. Robert Whittaker is the only fighter in the division who agreed to face Aliskerov on such short notice.

UFC 303: New Main Event

With McGregor's bout off the table, UFC 303 will now be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. This change aims to keep the excitement alive for fans and maintain the event's competitive edge.

The recent weeks have been a testament to White's ability to adapt and keep the UFC's momentum going despite unforeseen hurdles. As the landscape of upcoming fights continues to shift, fans remain on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next round of announcements.