Dana White, the President of UFC, has decided to revise his promotional strategy for Conor McGregor following the fighter’s latest withdrawal from UFC 303 due to injury.
McGregor, who has been out of the octagon since July 2021 due to a severe leg injury sustained in a fight against Dustin Poirier, was expected to make a much-anticipated return against Michael Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas. However, a recent injury setback has delayed his comeback until at least September, possibly at UFC 306.
White expressed his frustration but also acknowledged the realities of the sport.
“It’s the business, man. This is the way it goes. And from here on, I’m not going to talk about it until he’s healed and he’s right. Then we’ll look at the landscape and see what we can figure out,” he told the Sports Business Journal.
This shift suggests that McGregor might no longer be announced as a headliner until his health is fully confirmed, possibly integrating him into existing solid line-ups instead.
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The immediate impact of McGregor’s withdrawal has reshaped UFC 303. The main event now features a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka, a rematch of their bout at UFC 295. The co-main event will see Diego Lopes facing Brian Ortega.
Additionally, Jamahal Hill’s knee injury has led to further adjustments in the fight card. Despite these changes, White remains confident in the quality of the event, stating he is “very happy” with the replacement fights.
This isn’t the first event White has had to reconfigure on short notice. The UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia also faced last-minute changes when Khamzat Chimaev withdrew due to illness. The new main event will now see Ikram Aliskerov take on Robert Whittaker.
McGregor’s continued absence poses challenges for the UFC, given his significant draw for both hardcore and casual fans. His professional record stands at 22 wins and 6 losses, with notable victories by knockout. The promotion’s ability to adapt quickly is crucial, as seen in these recent adjustments.
White’s strategy moving forward appears to be one of caution and flexibility, ensuring that McGregor’s participation is only confirmed when he is fully prepared to compete.
This approach aims to prevent last-minute disruptions and maintain the integrity of UFC events while still capitalizing on McGregor’s star power.
