Award-winning MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that there may still be doubts surrounding Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated UFC return against Michael Chandler on June 29.
The Irishman will make his first walk into the Octagon since breaking his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. However, his UFC 303 main event against Iron Mike faced turbulence just weeks before the event.
On Tuesday Helwani posted a tweet providing an update on his sources. The MMA Hour host says that after pausing feelers and searching for a replacement, the UFC has resumed its backup search.
‘As of this morning, several sources are now saying that feelers will be sent out again for June 29. For replacement and/or new fights,” Helwani wrote.
‘In short: it seems so [be] renewed pessimism about the status of the 303 main event. Actually even more pessimism – it seems – than last Monday, after the press was canceled at the last minute.’
Conor McGregor’s UFC return against Michael Chandler could still be weeks away
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is once again sending out feelers
‘Is this insurance? By diligence? Emergency replacement mode? Remains to be seen. It’s all developing (again),” Helwani continued. ‘But it doesn’t look like we’re out of the woods yet. More to come, and hopefully a definitive answer one way or another. Short-term.’
Skepticism about the highly anticipated fight began when a June 1 press conference in Dublin was postponed at the 11th hour.
After the presser was called off, McGregor apologized to fans and said the cancellation was due to a “series of obstacles beyond our control.”
The events that transpired from then on had fans concerned as it seemed like the build-up was sprinting towards a wall of disappointment.
Chandler reportedly left training camp after the June 1 press conference was canceled
UFC chief Dana White has been surprisingly quiet since rumors of a canceled fight surfaced
The UFC stopped advertising UFC 303 on pay-per-view and archived the free Conor McGregor fights posted to promote the event. McGregor and UFC chief Dana White remained quiet throughout, while Chandler hinted via an Instagram post that he had left training camp and headed home to Nashville.
“If you’re looking for me, I’m in Tennessee. No way out of the life we chose,” Chandler wrote. ‘Walking on. See you at the top!’
Additionally, the UFC has reportedly sent out feelers and looked for potential replacements, preparing for a worst-case scenario.
However, fans saw a ray of light when the campaign for the fight resumed. On June 8, the UFC posted an official promo for the UFC 303 main event on their YouTube and social media platforms.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in the loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021
McGregor and Chandler coached opposite each other on a season of The Ultimate Fighter
The Chandler vs. McGregor fight was officially announced after UFC 300 in April
“This time last week, all the fear surrounding the UFC 303 main event seemed to disappear,” Helwani wrote. ‘On Wednesday, no more feelers went out about replacements. All systems seemed to be a success (again).’
Later in the week, Chandler did an interview with The Pivot about how it was all good, and on Saturday, UFC promoted it again during the ABC Fight Night broadcast. There was a fear that the fight was over and the fear seemed to no longer exist.”
While speculation continues to circulate as to whether the pair will meet in the Octagon on June 29, there appears to be no definitive confirmation from White, McGregor and Chandler on the finality of the match.