Where there’s one dual-division champion, there’s always another to the rescue. The return event of the one and only Conor McGregor has succumbed to all perils! McGregor and TUF: Season 31 rival coach Michael Chandler will not compete at UFC 303 after all. Instead, Alex Pereira makes way for a new main event for the June pay-per-view.
The headliner of UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 29 would have seen ‘The Notorious’ return from a three-year layoff. However, all hell broke loose when McGregor canceled his media obligations for UFC 303’s kickoff press conference at 3Arena. Then came the speculation from ESPN Deportes MMA journos, who informed KOlmenero that this was due to a possible injury.
Now, CEO Dana White has confirmed as much. Taking to social media, he also officially announced a replacement. The bargain feature main event for UFC 303 will see Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight undisputed gold in a title rematch. He faces Jiri Prochazka Live from T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week in Nevada, LV.
Pereira first met him at UFC 295 in November, winning the vacant 205-pound title strap. The ‘Samurai’ will look to rebound this month. Prochazka attended the Oktagon 58 Fight Night last Saturday, where he mentioned signing a fight contract. Meaning the imminent cancellation has been long coming; this would not bode well. However, other things in motion might ease it all out.
Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes will co-main event UFC 303
Two-division UFC and GLORY titleholder Alex Pereira is the current face of International Fight Week. Currently 10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC, he takes over from absentee Conor McGregor and defends his title on short notice at UFC 303. ‘Poatan’ last fought at the UFC 300 headliner where he knocked out Jamahal Hill at the 3:14 mark of Round 1 to retain the light heavyweight title.
UFC 303 is shaping up to be quite interesting, sans Conor McGregor (Source: UFC.go.com/X/agfight.com)Title or no title, Hill told The Schmo via the Schmozone Podcast (@theschmo312) that the rematch had to happen. Meanwhile, he was set to face the surging Carlos Ulberg at UFC 303. As good as Ulberg may turn out to be, the 205lber wasn’t quite the top billing to match as co-mains. Hence, MMA Journo Ariel Helwani tweeted that Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes were floating as replacements.
In addition to working on a new main for 303, I’m told UFC is also looking at a new co-main for that card…the current co-main – Hill x Ulberg – might need a replacement now too, and if so it could get bumped down. One new fight that has been discussed – not for the main – is Brian Ortega x Diego Lopes.
Ariel Helwani (MMAFighting on SBN) via X (@arielhelwani)
In addition to working on a new main for 303, I’m told UFC is also looking at a new co-main for that card. The current co-main – Hill x Ulberg – might need a replacement now too, and if so it could get bumped down. One new fight that has been discussed – not for the main – is…
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 13, 2024
Now confirmed, UFC 303 will mark another “2018” where Ortega has fought twice in one calendar. The former two-time featherweight title challenger is fresh off a submission win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City.
The 33-year perennial contender meets Lopes, who’s on a three-win streak off consecutive first-round finishes. Much like Pereira, he last fought at UFC 300. All the main players are scar-free to fight in June-end. While UFC 303 lost its Conor McGregor-Michael Chandler main attraction, things are subsequently looking up for the card.
