It looks like storm clouds are brewing for Dana White and the promotion as UFC 309 draws closer! The November 16 event is set to go down at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be headlined by an undisputed heavyweight title clash between Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones.

While the main event looks like it’ll go off without a hitch so far, the rest of the card has taken a hit. According to recent reports, multiple highly anticipated match-ups have abruptly fallen through, leaving the UFC head honcho and the promotion scrambling to find a replacement!

Dana White and the UFC in a bind as UFC 309 card takes another hit  

According to a recent report on X shared by MMA Orbit, it was revealed, “David Onama vs Lucas Almeida is OFF #UFC309. Almeida is OUT. The UFC are looking for a replacement to face Onama on November 16th”. The announcement dropped like a bombshell on social media and the UFC is now racing against the clock to find a last-minute replacement. With just over a week to go for the event, this is no easy feat, especially given the stakes involved.

Davi Onama, a rising star with a record of 12-2, is coming off two thrilling victories and has plenty of momentum he’s eager to capitalize on. But who can fill Lucas Almeida’s shoes on such short notice?  It remains to be seen.

But this isn’t the only setback UFC 309 has faced. Light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov is also reported to be out of his bout against Nikita Krylov in a matchup that would have influenced the 205-lbs rankings. Fans were looking forward to seeing these two warriors clash, both of whom have been relatively inactive, yet undeniably skilled.

The #6-ranked Krylov hoped for a title push after a powerful first-round submission of Ryan Spann in 2023. Meanwhile, Murzakanov, undefeated at 14-0, has only fought once a year since 2022. For both fighters, the match was a stepping stone toward potential title contention.

Now that these two fights are off the lineup, Dana White and the UFC face an uphill battle to keep fans excited. Additionally, there have also been rumblings that the Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira co-main event may be facing some hurdles!

Ariel Helwani clears the air on Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira fight rumors  

In the unpredictable world of MMA, rumors often swirl as fast as a spinning back fist. This week, the spotlight fell on the highly anticipated rematch between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. The whispers? The fight might be canceled. For Chandler, this rematch is more than just another fight—it’s a shot at redemption.

The last time these two met, ‘Do Bronx’ stunned Chandler with a second-round TKO, claiming the lightweight title at UFC 262 in 2021. Since then, Chandler’s been waiting for another chance. His frustration only grew as a planned fight against Conor McGregor fell through earlier this year due to the Irishman’s unfortunate toe injury. However, according to Ariel Helwani, this lightweight battle remains firmly on track.

Speaking on an episode of ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, the veteran journalist revealed, “I reached out to Chandler’s team and was told – news to them. I reached out to a couple people, and they said – news to them. Typically when something like this happens, there does seem to be smoke to the fire. But as of right this moment, I have not heard that the fight is off.”

As the countdown to UFC 309 ticks down, all eyes are on Dana White and his team to deliver the epic showdown fans are craving. With key bouts falling through and rumors swirling around the Chandler vs. Oliveira co-main event, the promotion faces a monumental challenge. Can they keep the magic of Madison Square Garden alive, despite the setbacks? Or will these hurdles steal some of the night’s thunder? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!