The MMA community made the UFC 300 a massive success. However, Chael Sonnen believes that the 100th-anniversary event’s charm might be short-lived. The reason is the big cards in the upcoming events. With Conor McGregor finally taking on Michael Chandler in the UFC 303, and Islam Makhachev defending his championship belt against Dustin Poirier, things are sure to get spicy. But will these fights have enough charisma to overtake UFC 300? 

Dana White didn’t fail to provide the fans with bombastic cards at UFC 300, thereby generating record-breaking PPVs. The two title fights, one for the BMF belt and one for the championship, simply had the audience on the edge of their seats. Nevertheless, White reportedly spent a massive amount of more than $25 million in total payout following the event. Undeniably, it was meant to be special. But why does Sonnen believe that its hype will be beaten? Let’s find out.

Conor McGregor linked to UFC 300’s defeat

Sonnen and Daniel Cormier sat down for a chat in the recent episode of ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ talk show. Therein, DC asked ‘The American Gangster’ if he felt like anything would surpass UFC 300 by the end of 2024. He further asked him to note that the UFC will feature great cards this year, including Makhachev vs. Poirier, and McGregor vs. Chandler. But Sonnen’s reply sent shockwaves through the fighting realm. 

‘Uncle Chael’ said, “I think that’s going to still be an unforeseen. I’m gonna go with no. I’m going to tell you that I think 300 is going to be beaten…” Thereafter, the former mixed martial artist conveyed the grounds for his belief, and it was none other than Conor McGregor and his upcoming fight against ‘Iron’. The duo are set to face each other at UFC 303, on June 29th. “But something come from that, there’s a spring and a bounce that can come from that,” he continued.

Furthermore, Sonnen pointed out that the UFC CEO had already reserved the Madison Square Garden, probably for Jon Jones to fight Stipe Miocic. Nevertheless, the former UFC contender claimed that it was still an unforeseen matter. He said, “But I don’t know that 300 is just up against the McGregor’s, or the Makhachev’s, or even Stipe and Jones. I think there’s still some room for an unforeseen. Conor McGregor, without a question, has a plan. He for sure has an ace in his sleeve. If he wins, he’s going to reveal that for us and that could end up being the biggest one of ‘24.” But what made UFC 300 hype up so much?

Why was UFC 300 so successful?

Dana White ensured that the 300th UFC event was nothing less than amazing. Alex Pereira defended his light heavyweight championship belt against Jamahal Hill, defeating Hill with a phenomenal knockout within the very first round. However, the fight for the BMF title was also breathtaking. Max Holloway claimed the belt and became the BMF by defeating Justin Gaethje with just one second remaining on the clock. Without a doubt, the fights kept the fans on the edge of their seats. 

But that’s not all. UFC 300 also witnessed White spending the highest amounts on PPV fighters. According to sources, Pereira, Gaethje, and Zhang Weili received $42,000 in compliance pay. Meanwhile, Hill and Yan Xiaonan received $32,000 despite their loss, and Holloway got the same compliance pay. The total money historically spent in the UFC became more than $25 million after the events of UFC 300. Despite the big stuff, White previously claimed that McGregor’s return would indeed be the biggest PPV in the history of UFC.

Undeniably, UFC 300 etched a mark on the fans’ hearts. But would it be defeated by the upcoming events? Only time can tell.