The cloud of uncertainty is certainly looming over the main event of UFC 303. There are rumors that Dana White is indeed looking for a replacement, not only for Conor McGregor, but he’s also considering having options to set up a new fight altogether. Meanwhile, UFC legend Chael Sonnen has come out to say that McGregor can never be replaced.
When Dana White hyped up the crowd claiming that UFC 303 shattered all gate records, the fans were finally happy to have the assurance that Conor McGregor would finally return until the bust of the Dublin Press conference. And when Ariel Helwani, MMA’s leading journalist, claimed that his sources claim a change in the UFC 303 main event may be in order, things started to become worrisome again. But Chael Sonnen claims that McGregor’s exclusion will not only hurt Michael Chandler, but the UFC as well.
“Red Panty Night is real. There’s only one Conor McGregor… He’s beaten his own records. The top ten gates in UFC history… he has all ten. So I figured he could come in and still do something meaningful… It’s remarkable,” stated Chael Sonnen on ‘The MMA Hour’. Hence, ‘The American Gangster’ made it very clear that no matter what Dana White opts to do, there is no one he could switch with Conor McGregor. “So when you asked me what the blow is if [he’s] something replaceable? No. No, there is only one Conor McGregor.”
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However, Chael Sonnen does think that the UFC has one option if Conor McGregor doesn’t show up on June 29. That option is setting up a BMF fight between Michael Chandler and Max Holloway, which he also thinks could be scrapped by the UFC matchmakers. “The only one that you could do as close would be Max Holloway, 155 [pounds], and the BMF belt, but because that’s the only one that you can do, they might just pull Chandler completely,” Sonnen added. But what do the fans think about the UFC legend’s claims? Well, they weren’t very happy about it.
Chael Sonnen’s claims about Conor McGregor prove to be a hard sell
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The fans were simply not having any of what Chael Sonnen had to say. Yes, they are upset and they calling for the UFC to offer them refunds due to the uncertain nature of Conor McGregor’s return. Some claimed that their interest in ‘The Notorious’ has seemingly diminished over the past few years. While one fan said, “McGregor sucks, bring on the UFC 303 refunds,” the other said, “Besides his fanboys, nobody cares about Conor and hasn’t for a very long time.”
Meanwhile, some fans think that instead of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, Dana White could set up a rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka for UFC 303. That fight is actually rumored to be the replacement fight on June 29. On the other hand, they would also love to see Islam Makhachev step up and save the card like he did for UFC 302. They said, “Bring in Periera VS Jiri 2 that should do it,” and, “islam would do more than save this card tbh.”
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The fans also mentioned that instead of pitting Max Holloway against Michael Chandler, which is what Chael Sonnen insinuated, ‘Blessed’ should get his title shot against Ilia Topuria. However, some fans think that Conor McGregor’s comeback is going to happen and these are all added drama to get more eyes on his long-awaited return. They’d say, “Just book ilia vs max,” “It’s a work. Conor is fighting,” and “Conor will be there June 29th. I’d bet my left leg on it.”
What do you think about Chael Sonnen’s comments? Do you side with him or the fans on this issue? Let us know in the comments below.