Ariel Helwani issues major update on Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler at UFC 303

Ariel Helwani has issued an update on the scheduled UFC 303 main event clash between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.

McGregor is due to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon against Ultimate Fighter rival Chandler on 29 June at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight is arguably the most anticipated in UFC history and set to break pay-per-view-records.

However, there have been concerns about the tear-up going ahead after a press conference in Dublin was abruptly cancelled earlier this week.

Chandler only learned about the postponement when he was about to head to the airport for his flight, while McGregor issued a statement addressing the situation and apologised.

Helwani provided an update that there was positivity of the fight happening, though UFC were exploring other options and reaching out to other fighters in the event a replacement was needed.

He also reported that there was no legal or anti-doping issue.

After plenty of discussions from people in the know, he came in with a second update on Wednesday's episode of the MMA Hour.

Helwani says there is "great positivity" and "optimism" that McGregor will still take on Chandler at the end of the month.

Image: Getty

He was quick to stress that things could change but a corner has been turned.

Helwani said: "I can tell you as of last night, as of today, I can tell you there is great positivity that this fight is going forward.

“If you’re asking me right now is Conor McGregor going to fight Michael Chandler on June 29 - my answer is yes.

"As of right now, yes. Do I know what happens tomorrow? No. Do I know what happens the next day? No. But as of right now, the vibes could not be anymore different than Sunday and Monday.

"The positivity could not be any greater than what I was hearing on those two days. It is so much higher now. There is great positivity and optimism that all systems are go.

“I hope that [the update] suffices, I hope that people are happy with that, if you’re worried about your flight and ticket that you’re a little bit happier now. I reiterate, a million things can happen between now and tomorrow, now and next week but everything I’m hearing is great positivity and optimism, we’ve turned a bit of a corner now. Whatever happened over the weekend happen and perhaps there will be a time where we discuss that."

Image: Getty

McGregor has not competed for UFC since he broke his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier back in July 2021.

He is returning in the welterweight division, having fought at lightweight in his last two fights.

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