Is Conor McGregor nonetheless combating Michael Chandler at UFC 303? That’s the query after a scheduled June 3 press convention was all of a sudden referred to as off.
Each McGregor and Chandler had been set to attend the press convention at 3Arena in Dublin to advertise their UFC 303 essential occasion on June 29 in Las Vegas. Formally, the UFC introduced that it had “postponed” the press convention about 12 hours earlier than it was set to start, with uncertainty surrounding McGregor as the rationale.
With the struggle only a few weeks away, it stays on – however the standing feels tenuous. Right here’s what we all know concerning the state of affairs surrounding McGregor vs. Chandler.
June 3: McGregor points assertion, apologizes
Any doubt that McGregor was the rationale for the press convention cancellation was erased after the previous two-division UFC champion issued an announcement through which he attributed the sudden flip of occasions to “a collection of obstacles” exterior his management. What meaning precisely is anyone’s guess as McGregor wasn’t particular about whether or not the rationale was associated to harm, his contract or one thing else.
In session with the UFC, todays press convention was cancelled because of a collection of obstacles exterior of our management. I apologize to my Irish followers, and followers around the globe, for the inconvenience and respect all of your ardour and assist. I can’t wait to placed on the best…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 3, 2024
June 3: Chandler invokes MLK in cryptic message
Reviews surfaced that Chandler was on his approach to the airport to catch a flight for Dublin when he acquired a name from the UFC that the press convention was canceled.
About half-hour after McGregor issued his assertion, we heard from Chandler, who used a motivational quote from Martin Luther King Jr. to convey his emotions on X.
“The last word measure of a person isn’t the place he stands in moments of consolation and comfort, however the place he stands at occasions of problem and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr. #UFC303–Stroll On.–See you on the prime!
June 4: Chandler leaves coaching camp
In one other potential dangerous signal concerning the struggle not taking place, Chandler revealed on Instagram that he was leaving his camp in South Florida to move again dwelling to Tennessee.
June 5: ‘Nice positivity’ McGregor vs. Chandler nonetheless occurs
On Wednesday’s episode of “The MMA Hour,” host Ariel Helwani – who’s near McGregor’s camp – reported that issues are trending in the fitting course.
“The vibes on Sunday had been fairly confused. The vibes on Monday had been fairly pessimistic, and there was nervousness,” Helwani mentioned. “… I can inform you as of final night time and as of immediately – this morning, early afternoon, it’s at the moment 1:10 p.m. ET – I can inform you there may be nice positivity that this struggle goes ahead.”
Whereas Helwani didn’t report a selected motive for the cancellation of the press convention, he dominated out that it was attributable to “nothing unlawful, nothing salacious, no PED use, no partying, none of that.”
Ariel Helwani says there may be “nice positivity, nice optimism” relating to the #UFC303 essential occasion.
“Is Conor McGregor going to struggle Michael Chandler on June 29? My reply is sure. As of proper now. Do I do know what occurs tomorrow? No.”
▶️ https://t.co/dsNMiCLCdy #TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/sV8tpeEIo7
— MMA Combating (@MMAFighting) June 5, 2024
June 5: McGregor harm confirmed?
McGregor later posted a photograph on the physician’s workplace, leaning again shirtless in joggers with a smile on his face, including extra gasoline to harm hypothesis.
June 6: McGregor shares sparring footage
On Instagram, McGregor posted 10 totally different clips of sparring periods with the caption, “Getting higher as I’m going go goatsy!”
Within the footage, McGregor is engaged on a number of facets of his recreation, together with MMA coaching with clinch work, kicks, and punching and conventional boxing sparring with headgear. The recency of the footage is unclear.
This submit can be up to date as new developments unfold.
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