Will Conor McGregor finally step into the cage at UFC 303? That seems to be the question the MMA asks ever since a report emerged of the canceled Dublin press conference. Scheduled for June 3, fans were shocked when the UFC announced the cancellation just hours before kickoff.
Cancellation Of The Press Conference Takes Fans By Surprise
The unexpected cancellation added more detail to the story. Several prominent voices in the MMA community have raised concerns about the fight being stopped. But Gilbert Burns, ranked No. 6 in the UFC welterweight division, offers a different perspective. According to Burns, the fight is still going on, and in this speculation, he shared his thoughts on McGregor’s antics.
Gilbert Burns Calls
Burns, known as ‘Durinho,’ broke down the drama surrounding Conor McGregor, and his planned fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303. “These guys, they’ve canceled press conferences that were supposed to be reporters meeting was two weeks ago already, and that was crazy,” said Burns.
So far, neither the UFC nor McGregor has released a statement to clean up the rumors surrounding the canceled press conference. Despite the hype and McGregor’s apology, fans are still confused as to why the highly anticipated event has been mixed up.
McGregor’s “Bluffing” Accusations
Burns suggested McGregor was “pulling up the Ryan Garcia card,” citing the boxer’s erratic behavior before his April 20 fight with Devin Haney, while Garcia’s suspicious post-fight comments the inconsistency on social media raised her eyebrows.
“I think he’s bluffing, I think he’s good, it’s going to be a fight,” Burns said. He thinks McGregor is trying to over-guess, maybe shift the odds, similar to Garcia’s strategy. Burns’ analysis offers some reassurance, but the situation remains uncertain.
Ariel Helwani’s Context
Veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani added new concerns on X (formerly Twitter). Helwani shared, “But as of this morning, several sources are now saying that the feelers are being sent back for June 29th for an exchange and/or another battle (battle). In short, there seems to be a new misconception about the status of special program 303.”
Helwani’s post suggested that the UFC may be looking for backup fighters to ensure the event goes on as planned. He concluded by pointing out that the situation was still uncertain, “…it’s not like we’re out of the woods just yet”.
Waiting Game Continues
While Burns offers hope that McGregor’s return to the Octagon will go as planned, Helwani’s update has fans on edge. The controversy surrounding UFC 303 and McGregor’s return continues to rage, putting the MMA world on hold.
The Big Picture
As the story unfolds, fans are eagerly awaiting more concrete details. The back-and-forth speculation has heightened the anticipation for one of the most anticipated UFC events of the year. Will McGregor make a triumphant return, or will the fight fall apart at the last minute? Time will tell.
Meanwhile, the MMA community is still captivated by the drama, with each new update adding intrigue. The stakes are high, and the world is watching, hoping for a reveal and a confirmed path forward for UFC 303 .
