Speculations are swirling around UFC 303, set to feature Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler, as uncertainty looms over whether the fight will proceed as planned.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani recently indicated that while the UFC remains hopeful about the bout, they are simultaneously exploring alternative matchups should they need to replace the fighters. This stems from a sudden cancellation of the scheduled press conference, which has fueled concerns about the fight’s status.

McGregor’s return to the octagon on June 29 in Las Vegas is highly anticipated, marking his first fight since 2021 against the former Bellator champion Chandler. However, the abrupt cancellation of their Dublin press conference has left fans and analysts alike speculating about potential disruptions.

Press Conference Cancellation Sparks Concern

Just hours before McGregor and Chandler were to appear in Dublin, UFC postponed the event without explanation. McGregor has since commented vaguely, offering no concrete updates.

Helwani tweeted,

“No news at the moment. The hope remains that the fight is still on. There is positivity, I would say. But UFC has sent out feelers to see who could step in, either as a replacement or a completely new headliner. It’s still developing and there’s still some time.”

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Expert Opinions on the Situation

Daniel Cormier, a former UFC champion, voiced his doubts about the fight proceeding as planned. On his podcast, Cormier advised fans to brace for disappointment, stating,

“Let me be your friend and tell you to start preparing for a bit of disappointment… Dana White hates disappointing the fans. When the press conference was canceled, you saw people on Twitter and Instagram talking about their travel plans to Dublin. That’s disappointing.”

Cormier emphasized that White dislikes letting fans down and usually strives to exceed expectations. He added,