Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesAmid recent speculation about the status of the UFC 303 main event, Conor McGregor is still training for his upcoming bout against Michael Chandler.
McGregor posted a video of himself sparring in preparation for his return to the octagon.
UFC on TNT Sports @ufcontntThe Mac is back 😍<br><br>Conor McGregor releases an array of sparring footage ahead of his return at UFC 303 🎥<br><br>📹: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheNotoriousMMA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC303?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC303</a> | June 29 <a href="https://t.co/I1fFO4weKJ">pic.twitter.com/I1fFO4weKJ</a>
There has been a lot of uncertainty about the status of the fight. UFC had a press conference scheduled in Dublin on Monday, but it was postponed a few hours before it was set to start.
McGregor addressed the situation later that same day, citing "a series of obstacles outside of our control" as the reason for the postponement.
Conor McGregor @TheNotoriousMMAIn consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control. I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience and appreciate all your passion and support. I can't wait to put on the greatest…
Buzz about the fight potentially being called off picked up on Tuesday when Chandler seemed to indicate on Instagram he was ending his camp in Florida and going back home to Nashville.
On Wednesday's episode of The MMA Hour, Ariel Helwani said as of right now there is still "great optimism" the McGregor-Chandler bout goes on as planned.
MMA Fighting @MMAFightingAriel Helwani says there is "great positivity, great optimism" regarding the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC303?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC303</a> main event.<br><br>"Is Conor McGregor going to fight Michael Chandler on June 29? My answer is yes. As of right now. Do I know what happens tomorrow? No."<br><br>▶️ <a href="https://t.co/dsNMiCLCdy">https://t.co/dsNMiCLCdy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheMMAHour?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheMMAHour</a> <a href="https://t.co/sV8tpeEIo7">pic.twitter.com/sV8tpeEIo7</a>
Helwani has also reported that UFC "sent out feelers" to see if anyone might be able to fill in, "either as a replacement or an entirely new fight at the top of the bill."
UFC has every incentive to make sure the McGregor-Chandler fight can go on as planned. Dana White announced last month that the gate for the show was "already way over $20 million."
This would make it the first UFC event to have a live gate of at least $20 million. The current gate record is UFC 205 headlined by McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez in the promotion's first event at Madison Square Garden.
McGregor hasn't fought since losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The fight was stopped after the first round when McGregor suffered a broken leg that required surgery.
UFC 303 is scheduled to take place on June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
ncG1vNJzZmianJqupLTEq6meqJ%2BnwW%2BvzqZmmqqknrCtsdJoaGlpYmiGcYWMr6CdnZ9isLC6zqtkppuXp7Kou9FmqZ6klZbApr%2BMrKeaqqKeu6h5xaimrZmXmnqitMSam2anlmLCp6%2BMbGdsZZaetKnAjK%2BqZpuYlruluMSr