Chael Sonnen says that if he does not fight UFC 303, Conor McGregor might not just fight at all! As the UFC 303 main event hangs in the balance, the MMA legend makes a concerning prediction. While top brass has yet to cancel the event, recent events and the Irishman’s media availability (or lack thereof) haven’t helped.
The Irishman faces Michael Chandler in a welterweight headliner at the record-breaking UFC 303. ‘The Notorious’ will aim to actively participate for the first time since his 2021 trilogy loss and leg break. Hence, it’s a matter of great redemption. The recent presser cancelation and Ariel Helwani’s comments have made fans fear the worst. As such, Sonnen made some bold claims about McGregor’s future.
If Conor McGregor doesn’t show up for this, I’m here to let you know…any idea you have that he’s still fighting …or he wasn’t feeling good and they’re doing it another day…If McGregor does not show up on June 29 and fight Michael Chandler at 170 pounds, it is the exact same as announcing Conor McGregor’s retirement from the sport.
Chael Sonnen via his Official YouTube channel (@ChaelSonnenOfficial)
Conor McGregor has never withdrawn from a card before. However, he did not fulfill media obligations for UFC 303’s kickoff conference on June 3 at 3Arena in Dublin. While both he and Chandler have hinted that the fight is on, rumors are swirling otherwise. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani once again posed that feelers are out for replacements if need be.
It’s not yet known if this is a PR pull or bad information floating around. However, during consecutive Kick Livestream Q&A Sessions with duelbits.com and The MacLife, McGregor said he’s working on his contract lapse. He currently has two more in his contractual run; Sonnen’s prediction of him not getting to do it again is feeling like a sure-shot tragedy. McGregor’s posts and teases aren’t helping as well.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and his return event were the talk of the town even before its inception. The consensus sports icon has amassed a superstardom unlike any other. But as time passes, fans and pundits aren’t sure if controversies surrounding his return are publicity moves or real danger. Add to the list that the Irishman himself isn’t helping from his end.
A week ago, the fighter was all smiles despite rumor mills filling up with possibilities of an injury. He even issued an apology for canceling media obligations for the UFC 303 pre-fight conference. There was surging confidence from Conor McGregor and the general MMA community that the fight would happen.
Conor McGregor backtracks on ‘no injury’ with worrisome update (Source: UFC.go.com)Speaking with NFL stars Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor & Ryan Clark on The Pivot Podcast (@thepivotpodcast), even Chandler said he had too many assurances that this fight would happen. Contrarily, now the 35-year-old Irish southpaw has plagued fans with yet another weird social media update.
Conor McGregor just shared this old video to his Instagram story:
“I think the more resistance you train with, the less movement and the more injury.
But the less resistance you train with, the more movement and the less injury.”
🎥 IG / @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC303 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/6y7bXo5qmB
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 13, 2024
Fans are viewing this post as a major concern since it was deleted. Is this post meant to showcase his struggle and instill confidence or fear? It’s anybody’s guess. The endgame notions of him bringing up his injury amid already valid concerns have ignited mass panic.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘The American Gangster’ Sonnen provided Max Holloway as a fitting top bill replacement yet again. While merely replacing him is one idea, the whole thought of “The Foggy Dew” and the “McGregor effect” not taking shape is another.
