SUMMARY
- Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is finally taking place at UFC 303.
- Other than McGregor's return, UFC is stacking up the June 29 card with several exciting fights.
UFC 300 was one of the biggest fight cards in recent times. But, with UFC 303, the company is looking to beat itself. UFC President Dana White, somewhat unceremoniously, announced that Islam Makhachev will defend his title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 and Conor McGregor will make his return at UFC 303. Obviously, the fan excitement for the McGregor event was much more.
It’s finally happening!!
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 15, 2024
Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler is signed for #UFC303!! pic.twitter.com/0z5B6fKja3
Since then, the company released a marathon of Conor’s best moments in the UFC. The video alone generated nearly four million views since its release. It just goes to show that anytime there’s a Conor McGregor event, fan interest will be there. However, the company is not stopping with the 5-round main event at welterweight. It looks like Dana White is planning on stacking the card up with some amazing bouts that will deliver the entertainment to fans.
UFC 303 is already looking stacked!
Since July 2021, UFC 303 will be the first time when Conor McGregor steps foot inside the Octagon and this time it will be against Michael Chandler. The two have already had some verbal altercations during TUF 31 filming where “The Notorious One” got into Chandler’s face and pushed him. So fans can expect the build-up to the filled with classic McGregor madness. Aside from that, the company recently announced another big match-up for the card too.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill will fight Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303. Although it is unclear whether the bout will be the co-main event or not, it certainly adds to the entertainment factor. Khalil is coming off a big win against Anthony Smith in December 2023. Not only that, but he is also on a 5-fight win streak and Rountree Jr. is currently ranked 8th at light heavyweight.
Hill, on the other hand, lost to the current 205lbs champion Alex Pereira via a first-round KO. So it will be a quick turnaround for Jamahal Hill who has retained his Top 5 ranking in the division. Other than them, middleweight prospect Joe Pyfer will also appear on the card to take on Marc-Andre Barriault. Pyfer is coming off a submission loss to Jack Hermansson in February 2024. Prior to that, he had three back-to-back wins against Abdul Razak Alhassan, Gerald Meerschaert, and Alen Amedovski.
Pyfer’s opponent Marc-Andre Barriault also suffered a loss in his last bout against Chris Curtis at UFC 297. Lastly, “Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson will also make her return as she takes on Gillian Robertson. Robertson has 3 wins in her last 5 fights, whereas Waterson has 6 losses in her last 7 fights. So a loss at UFC 303 might mean the end of the road for Michelle.
What other fights can feature on the McGregor vs. Chandler card?
Conor McGregor’s fight cards have always been a great spectacle for fans. At UFC 264, current champions like Ilia Topuria and Dricus du Plessis fought in the prelims. Even UFC 257 had a great fight card which saw the debut of Michael Chandler in the UFC. Rising featherweight contender Movsar Evloev and lightweight star Arman Tsarukyan featured in the event too.
In the UFC 257 main card, veteran fighters such as Joanne Calderwood and Jessica Eye made appearances as well. So, it proves that there will be a healthy mixture of young talent and old veterans.
Perhaps fighters like Bo Nickal, Tony Ferguson would be the perfect contenders to feature in the event. Ilia seems to be set to fight Max Holloway in the near future. So a bout between Movsar Evloev and the former 145lbs champion Alexander Volknovski at UFC 303 will also make a lot of sense.
What other fights do you want to see at the much-anticipated event? Let us know in the comments below.
