Scrapping Conor McGregor’s huge comeback would be a DISASTER for the UFC… with showdown against Michael Chandler in doubt, who could replace main event at UFC 303?

It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return won’t happen at UFC 303 on June 29.

McGregor posted a cryptic video to his Instagram Story on Thursday that showed his younger self talking about injuries with emojis indicating he’s struggling with them.

The now-deleted post came after Ariel Helwani announced on Wednesday that the Irishman’s planned fight with Michael Chandler is ‘very much in limbo’.

“I keep checking in and being a pest and a nuisance,” Helwani said of his reporting on the events. ‘I found out through several sources that they are reaching people again. They contact managers. They reach fighters.”

“I would say this fight is in limbo,” Helwani continued. “I’d say it sticks. And I would say the UFC is working very, very hard right now to figure out a plan b.”

What does plan b look like? Here, Mail Sport looks at the current options.

Prochazka vs. Pereira 2

The former light heavyweight champion teases that he has signed a contract for an undisclosed fight.

Prochazka was on hand at OKTAGON 58 and said an announcement would be coming soon during a cageside interview.

“I would also like to announce that I have signed something, but we will have to wait and see,” he said. ‘Because my organization is a bit late again.’

“So I’m hoping that in a few days we’ll know, and it’ll be out there, and we’ll go for it.”

A rematch between champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka could fill the potential gap

His interviewer then predicted that this would be the main event of UFC 303.

“I think Jiri Prochazka will be the injury replacement at UFC 303,” Ondrej Novotny said. For the injured Conor McGregor, in a title fight with [Alex] Pereira in the main event.”

Prochazka lost his title to Pereira in November, with the Brazilian winning via TKO in the second round.

Sean O’Malley

The least serious option on this list.

As skepticism swirled around the Irishman’s first fight in almost three years, Sean O’Malley took to Twitter to throw his hat into the ring.

O’Malley posted on social media that he would “fight @jakepaul to save UFC 303.”

YouTuber turned boxer Paul has become one of the bigger names in combat sports, but the chances of him stepping into the cage are slim.

However, it could be a sign that O’Malley could be persuaded to fight on June 30.

The American has drawn comparisons to McGregor during his meteoric rise and could be the big name the card needs.

Chandler has been waiting an incredibly long time for the UFC’s biggest “money fight” and you’d imagine he’d be willing to wait a while longer.

However, the prospect of a piece of the belt could be enough to keep him on the map.

A fight with reigning BMF champion Max Holloway seems like the best bet when it comes to maintaining star power at the top of the card and it would certainly be something fans would get excited about.

Holloway is coming off an all-time great knockout of Justin Gaethje and is no stranger to stepping in on short notice.

Max Holloway is no stranger to a fight on short notice and could defend the BMF title against Chandler

Alexander Volkanovsky

Another man with a history of saving an event and the former featherweight champion says he would be willing to do it again.

Asked if he would be willing to step in as a replacement, Volanovski told Submission Radio: “Yes, I think 100%.

As long as it’s a big fight. I don’t just start a fight. Like you said, that’s a big deal. Save the day too, I don’t know, I feel like I just like saving the day. I’m just such a good guy. If I have to save the day, I’ll save the day.

‘Of course you also get paid well for it. But you never know. I was just messing around with that. I don’t even know if anything probably happened.

It is also known that Alexander Volkanovski saved an event for the UFC on short notice

“It’s probably just a minor issue and everyone is blowing it out of proportion, but I’ll have fun with it and throw the name out there just for a bit of a laugh.”

The Australian has been knocked out in his last two fights, but a loss to Chandler still has the makings of a fun fight.