Photo: Getty Images
Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the UFC has been postponed once again. The Irishman has withdrawn from his UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler due to an injury, as confirmed by UFC president Dana White on Thursday. Scheduled for June 29, the main event will now feature a light heavyweight title rematch between champion Alex Pereira and former champion Jiri Procházka.
Pereira vs Procházka: The Rematch
Pereira previously claimed the title from Procházka with a second-round TKO at UFC 295 last November. Fans are eager to see if Procházka can reclaim his throne or if Pereira will solidify his dominance.
Co-Main Event Shake-Up
The co-main event has also been adjusted, with a new bout between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes replacing the injured Jamahal Hill, who was originally set to face Carlos Ulberg. Ulberg will now compete against Anthony Smith.
McGregor's Ongoing Struggles
McGregor, last seen in action at UFC 264 in July 2021, suffered a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier after breaking his tibia at the end of the first round. It has been more than four years since his last victory and nearly eight years since he last won a title fight.
Speculations and Confirmations
Rumors of McGregor's withdrawal had been circulating for over a week. Concerns grew when a press conference with Chandler, scheduled for June 3, was abruptly postponed. McGregor later cited "a series of obstacles" for the delay but assured fans he was still preparing for his return. However, UFC's confirmation of McGregor's injury dashed those hopes.
UFC's Logistical Challenge
With McGregor out, the UFC faces the challenge of reorganizing UFC 303. The promotion has successfully arranged a new main event featuring Pereira and Procházka, but the logistical hurdles of rebuilding the fight card and securing a venue remain. The typical venue for major UFC events, T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has limited availability, complicating the planning process.
"Conor McGregor's withdrawal is a significant setback, but we're confident the new lineup will deliver an exciting night of fights," said Dana White.
Upcoming Fight Night Changes
The UFC 303 shake-up follows another recent disruption: the Fight Night event scheduled for the previous week was also affected when a medical issue forced Khamzat Chimaev out of his bout with Robert Whittaker. Whittaker will now face Ikram Aliskerov.
The dynamic nature of UFC fight cards often leads to unexpected changes, but fans remain hopeful for thrilling matches and memorable moments in the octagon.
Editor: Vitalina Patskan
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