The UFC have made the unprecedented transfer to cancel the UFC 303 press convention lower than 12 hours out from it getting underway.
The occasion, set to happen in Dublin, Eire, was referred to as off with no reschedule date introduced in a submit that despatched social media right into a spin.
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Whereas entry to the press convention didn’t require cost, it was a ticketed occasion with all allotted tickets snapped up inside minutes of their public launch.
Followers had been able to flock via the gates to catch a glimpse of Conor McGregor forward of his return bout towards Michael Chandler.
“Pricey UFC Followers, The #UFC303 press convention scheduled for Monday June third in Dublin, Eire at 3Arena has been postponed till additional discover,” the UFC posted on X.
“We sincerely apologise to all of the followers who had been planning to attend. When we’ve got additional info on a brand new date and time, we’ll share it instantly. – Thanks.”
UFC 303 is ready to happen on June 29 at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Hypothesis behind the cancellation rapidly whipped round social media with many pointing the finger at McGregor.
The previous two-division UFC champ was seen partying it up simply weeks forward of his return to the Octagon.
The Irishman shared footage of himself dancing the night time away at an occasion along with his 45 million Instagram followers.
In one of many clips, he might be heard encouraging punters to have a tipple of his Correct Twelve whiskey.
And in one other, the UFC icon might be seen dancing in entrance of his glamorous Cast Irish Stout employees – who additionally appeared like they had been having fun with the occasion.
With the cancellation coming days after the social media footage, followers had been fast to pin the UFC’s transfer on the MMA icon.
Author Nick Lombardi wrote: “This assertion is in contrast to something I’ve ever seen from the UFC earlier than. I speculate a big change is going on to the cardboard, particularly the McGregor v Chandler battle. It’s the one battle that will warrant such a response.”
One person wrote: “Christ what did Conor McGregor do now️, simply hours earlier than? Lotta Irish followers gonna get up fairly offended that thought they had been going to this.”
A second added: “Conor again at it once more.”
If it goes forward as deliberate, McGregor’s showdown with Chandler might be his first outing since breaking his left leg in his trilogy battle with Dustin Poirier almost three years in the past.
However he insisted he’d haven’t any reservations about throwing his once-shattered shin on the brow of his rival Final Fighter 31 coach.
In a latest interview with James Corden, he stated: “I’m Terminator now.
“I’ve a titanium rod that goes into the knee and all the way down to the bone, proper all the way down to my ankle.
“It’s unbreakable.
“I want for and I’ll work on touchdown this kick – with this metal bar in my leg – towards an opponent and getting them out of there.”
Whereas he’s been speaking a giant discuss, UFC followers will now eagerly await a motive behind the cancellation simply weeks out from the primary occasion.
