UFC 303: Uncertainty Surrounds McGregor vs. Chandler Fight
Is Conor McGregor still fighting Michael Chandler at UFC 303? This question looms large after the sudden cancellation of a scheduled press conference on June 3.
Conor McGregor's Status for UFC 303 Main Event in Question
Both fighters were set to attend the press conference at 3Arena in Dublin to promote their June 29 main event in Las Vegas. However, the UFC postponed the event about 12 hours before it was due to begin, citing uncertainty surrounding McGregor.
Press Conference Cancellation Sparks Rumors About McGregor vs. Chandler
With the fight just weeks away, its status remains uncertain. Here’s what we know:
June 3: McGregor Issues Statement, Apologizes
McGregor attributed the press conference cancellation to "a series of obstacles" outside his control. The former two-division UFC champion did not specify whether the reason was related to an injury, his contract, or something else.
June 3: Chandler Invokes MLK in Cryptic Message
Chandler, who was on his way to the airport when the press conference was canceled, responded with a motivational quote from Martin Luther King Jr. on X. He wrote: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
June 4: Chandler Leaves Training Camp
Adding to the uncertainty, Chandler revealed on Instagram that he was leaving his training camp in South Florida to return home to Tennessee.
'Great Positivity' McGregor vs. Chandler Still Happens
On June 5, Ariel Helwani reported on "The MMA Hour" that things were trending positively. He mentioned that the initial confusion and anxiety had shifted towards optimism about the fight proceeding as planned.
While the exact reason for the press conference cancellation remains unclear, Helwani assured that it wasn't due to anything illegal, salacious, or related to performance-enhancing drugs or partying.
