UFC boss Dana White has no real interest in talking further about Conor McGregor’s injury issues until he has recovered and is able to return.
The promotional CEO was forced to scramble for a brand new UFC 303 fundamental event after the Irishman pulled out of his scheduled bout with Michael Chandler this month. After three years out with a broken leg, he was due back on June 29, but was forced to tug out with a secretive injury this week.
McGregor and Chandler had been booked to fight each other as way back as February of last 12 months, but no official date was released until this 12 months. Almost a 12 months after their season of The Ultimate Fighter had aired they were signed up, and had sold an eye-watering $20million in tickets before the cancellation.
Dana White gives first comments on Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler UFC 303 cancellation
Dana White has had one of the unenviable few weeks in his profession, being forced to search out short notice fundamental events for 2 key events back-to-back. The UFC are resulting from debut in Saudi Arabia next Saturday, and had fan favourite Khamzat Chimaev forced out with a “violent” illness.
After which McGregor, who had been injured hours before a press conference in Dublin that was eventually cancelled, was forced out of their biggest event of the 12 months. “It’s been interesting because we had to modify the Saudi fundamental event, which is next weekend,” White told the Sports Business Journal.
“You understand what I mean? It’s f***ing days away, so for us to place on this guy Ikram Aliskerov who’s 15-1, he’s Muslim and his only loss is to Khamzat Chimaev, and everybody within the division said no to fighting him except Robert Whittaker? I’m very comfortable [with the quality of the replacement fights].”
Speaking more specifically about Conor McGregor, White said that he won’t be speaking further concerning the situation until he’s finally able to return. “It’s the business, man,” White continued, having previously been forced into similar situations.
“That is the best way it goes. And from here on I’m not going to discuss it until when he’s healed and he’s right. Then we’ll take a look at the landscape and see what we are able to determine.”
Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka replaces Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler in UFC 303 fundamental event
After announcing Whittaker vs Aliskerov for Saudi Arabia, White was again put within the position to inform fans that a large fundamental event had been shelved on Thursday night. He shared a video from the UFC’s Las Vegas ‘War Room’ through which he detailed their latest International Fight Week headliner.
“Guys, here I’m again,” he said, just hours after announcing Khamzat Chimaev’s pulling out of UFC Saudi Arabia next week to get replaced by Aliskerov. “Conor McGregor is out of UFC 303 v Michael Chandler with an injury.
“The brand new fundamental event is Alex Pereira; former not only UFC middleweight champion but the primary and only fighter to win each middleweight and light-heavyweight titles in UFC history. He did it within the shortest period of time, he did in 736 days and 7 fights.
“He finished seven of nine wins by knockout which is a 78 per cent finish rate, and won 10 of his last 11 fights. He’s facing former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka who has an unbelievable 23 first round wins.”
UFC 303 also has a brand new co-main event as Brian Ortega faces Diego Lopes. The co-main was resulting from to be Carlos Ulberg vs former light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, however the American was forced out with an injury and Ulberg now faces veteran Anthony Smith as a substitute on the undercard.
DISASTER: Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler is officially off as Dana White proclaims latest UFC 303 fundamental event
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