The UFC’s International Fight Week card has received an overhaul including the loss of Conor McGregor, who will be unable to fight.
Since last Monday’s last-minute cancellation of the UFC 303 press conference in Ireland, there has been little information regarding McGregor and the confirmation that his long-awaited fight with Michael Chandler would occur.
Reporter Ariel Helwani has consistently been providing updates throughout the week and painting a dire picture on Wednesday’s edition of The MMA Hour regarding the fight’s status.
Earlier today, Helwani reported the fight was off and McGregor suffered an injury before the press conference. There were various stages of optimism and pessimism regarding McGregor’s ability to remain on the June 29 card at UFC 303.
UFC CEO Dana White provided an update that the McGregor vs. Chandler fight is off and the new main event will see UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira fighting Jiří Procházka.
This is a rematch from UFC 295 last November where Pereira defeated Procházka by TKO to win the vacant 205-pound title.
A co-main event has been added to the card as a featherweight contest between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes has been added to UFC 303.
In addition, former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is off the card. White confirmed that his opponent Carlos Ulberg will now be fighting Anthony Smith.
There is no update regarding McGregor and the status of a future fight with Chandler. Helwani stated that the UFC is hopeful of rebooking the fight for August or September.
