Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 is a superb — even perhaps magical — battle, nevertheless it was not alleged to be the pay-per-view (PPV) fundamental occasion of UFC 303. Rapidly booked on the final second, the Gentle Heavyweight title battle serves as a wonderfully accepted “Worldwide Struggle Week” headliner, however it can generate nowhere close to as a lot consideration because the deliberate return of Conor McGregor.
It’s been about three years now because the sport’s largest star truly competed. The layoff can largely and understandably be blamed on the gnarly leg break technical knockout loss suffered versus Dustin Poirier, which is a tremendously troublesome harm to bounce again from. That mentioned, a stint in Hollywood and copious yacht events might have contributed to the delay as nicely.
Both method, the fight sports activities world was prepared for the return of McGregor. Lastly, the return date was set for UFC 303, and most of a coaching camp got here and went with none problem. Then, lower than one month faraway from UFC 303, harm rumors started to swirl, and the tip end result was a last-second withdrawal.
How did it go so incorrect so rapidly? Let’s set up a timeline of McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303.
June 2, 2024 (27 Days Till UFC 303)
Simply 12 hours earlier than it’s alleged to happen, the sold-out particular UFC 303 press convention kickoff in Dublin, Eire, is postponed with none rationalization. Michael Chandler is alerted simply in time to keep away from catching his aircraft to “The Emerald Isle.” Chandler doesn’t handle the presser, he simply posts extra goofy exercise content material.
June 3, 2024 (26 Days Till UFC 303)
The following day, McGregor breaks his silence on the press convention cancelation. He gives no rationalization, merely referencing, “obstacles outdoors of our management.” Followers are panicked as the primary hypothesis and rumors concerning a “minor harm” start to flow into. McGregor cancels different media obligations.
June 4, 2024 (25 Days Till UFC 303)
UFC begins to ship out feelers and look into different doable fundamental occasion choices in case McGregor is unable to battle. In the meantime, Chandler leaves his coaching camp in Florida and returns house to Tennessee.
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June 5, 2024 (24 Days Till UFC 303)
Lastly, a little bit of positivity! The most recent report concerning McGregor is one in all “nice positivity,” and there may be basic optimism that McGregor will certainly make it to battle evening. Including to the hype is McGregor himself, posing shirtless and smiling in a physician’s workplace.
June 7, 2024 (22 Days Till UFC 303)
Extra positivity! Chandler seems on a podcast and claims the battle is on. McGregor drops some coaching footage on-line to hype up followers.
June 8, 2024 (22 Days Till UFC 303)
UFC drops a “The King Returns” promo video for UFC 303, publicly bolstering confidence that McGregor will … return.
June 11, 2024 (18 Days Till UFC 303)
Catastrophe. For the second time, a report reveals that UFC is as soon as once more wanting into alternative choices within the (more and more seemingly) occasion that McGregor is unable to battle.
June 12, 2024 (17 Days Till UFC 303)
Conor McGregor posts an outdated clip speaking about accidents and a tragic face. A foul omen …
June 13, 2024 (16 Days Till UFC 303)
Catastrophe, nevertheless it’s now official. Conor McGregor withdraws from UFC 303, and his bout versus Chandler is postponed indefinitely. Pereira vs. Prochazka is introduced as the brand new fundamental occasion. Only for enjoyable, that is additionally the date Khamzat Chimaev pulled out from his deliberate UFC Saudi Arabia fundamental occasion vs. Robert Whittaker.
June 21, 2024 (8 Days Till UFC 303)
Lastly, Conor McGregor reveals the harm that sank his UFC 303 return: a damaged pinky toe. He posts the x-ray on social media and is met with numerous criticism from web haters and fellow fighters alike.
June 22, 2024 (7 Days Till UFC 303)
McGregor makes a public look at Bellator Dublin to help his workforce. Whereas in attendance, a barely limping Irishman proclaims August or September as his return timeline. It’s nonetheless unclear if that timeline will materialize or if Chandler will stay his opponent.
Since then, there’s been a basic Mac tweet-n-delete however no precise updates. Although I’m not a lot of a betting man on the entire, I’d hazard a guess that McGregor is lively on-line whereas the UFC 303 occasion he was alleged to headline airs.
Maybe we’ll be taught extra then.
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LIVE! Watch UFC 303 PPV On ESPN+ Right here!
’McGREGOR-FREE MAIN EVENT! Final Preventing Championship (UFC) returns to T-Cell Area in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., June 29, 2024, with out its largest field workplace draw, Conor McGregor, after the Irish sports activities star delayed the “biggest comeback of all-time” as a result of he broke his pinky toe (severely). Coming the rescue as soon as once more is Gentle Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, agreeing to rematch former division champion, Jiri Prochazka, within the pay-per-view (PPV) fundamental occasion. In UFC 303’s co-headliner, top-ranked Featherweight contender, Brian Ortega, will try and halt the rise of red-hot surging 145-pound prospect, Diego Lopes. UFC 303’s PPV fundamental card (see it right here) can even characteristic Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze and Ian Garry vs. Michael “Venom” Web page and a lot extra. It’s must-watch motion! UFC 303 begin time scheduled for six p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).
Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching motion!
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the complete UFC 303 battle card proper right here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET), earlier than the pay-per-view (PPV) fundamental card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).
To take a look at the newest and biggest UFC 303: “Alex vs. Jiri 2” information and notes make sure you hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.
