"This sucks for ticket buyers" - Fans sound off after Ariel Helwani claims UFC close to pulling plug on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler bout

Ariel Helwani does not seem so sure that 'The Notorious' will be making his return to the octagon at the end of the month.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is still, at this juncture, set to headline UFC 303 on June 29. However, the pay-per-view attraction may not come to fruition per the veteran mixed martial arts journalist.

On the latest episode of The MMA Hour, Helwani got into discussing this matchup set to go down in a little over two weeks when he said:

"One step further, here we are Wednesday, 1:13 [PM]. The positivity that I talked about exactly one week ago today is nowhere to be found. I would say this fight is very much in limbo. I would say that it's hanging on and I would say the UFC is working very, very hard right now to figure out a plan B."

Multiple combat sports enthusiasts on X began discussing this blockbuster bout potentially falling by the wayside. A sizable tweet thread built up underneath this clip discussing the tumultuous lead-up to the promotion's next PPV.

@nftkoosh said:

"Well this sucks for ticket buyers"

@AustinLavigne stated:

"This is getting ridiculous they need to give an update for people coming to the show"

@Iain0115 quipped:

"FOR WHAT REASON?"

Check out Ariel Helwani discussing the latest sentiment on Conor McGregor vs.Michael Chandler below:

---

Ariel Helwani and the McGregor vs. Chandler situation

Ariel Helwani referenced earlier that the sentiment as early as last week was positive this fight at 170 pounds would happen. The McGregor vs. Chandler uncertainty began building up when a press conference in Dublin fell apart at the last minute in the early part of the month.

The 41-year-old media member has a lot of sources within the industry and some of them seemed confident the former dual division UFC champion would be returning to the cage this Summer to compete.

McGregor clashing with the former multi-time Bellator lightweight champion has been in the making for a while with the two men previously having been opposing coaches on 'The Ultimate Fighter' over a year ago.

If Helwani's reporting is emblematic of the company eventually veering in these other directions, it will no doubt be a blow to Michael Chandler who has waited years for this fight. MMA fans the world over would also be let down and unsure of what will headline UFC 303 should this welterweight matchup fall out.