Ariel Helwani drops concerning update on Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler at UFC 303

Ariel Helwani has dropped a potentially concerning update ahead of the planned UFC 303 fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.

The pair were due to face off in a pre-event press conference in Dublin on Monday. However, it was called off just hours before it was due to get underway.

The UFC confirmed that a new time and date for the event was to be confirmed in due course, while McGregor blamed 'a series of obstacles outside of our control'.

The fight, which is set to take place on June 29 from Paradise, Nevada, represents McGregor's return to the Octagon after a near three-year absence from the sport.

His last fight was a forced first round stoppage against Dustin Poirier after 'Notorious' suffered a broken leg from an attempted kick.

The cancellation of the press conference has fuelled speculation among fans that McGregor vs Chandler may be in doubt - although there has been no official indication that is the case.

However, esteemed combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani has reported that the UFC is provisionally looking at other opponents or a new fight entirely, in the event that the planned UFC 303 headliner doesn't happen.

Taking to Twitter, Helwani wrote in response to a fan's question: "No news at the moment. The hope is still that the fight is on. There is positivity, I'd say.

"But they have sent out feelers to see who might be able to fill in, either as a replacement or an entirely new fight at the top of the bill.

"Still developing, and still some time."

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McGregor is due to fight in the 170lbs division against Chandler - the first time he has done so since defeating Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

Chandler also typically fights at 155lbs, like McGregor, but the pair have agreed to step up if their fight does take place as planned.