Annually, the Ultimate Fighting Championship celebrates combat sports with International Fight Week. This summertime event includes the Hall of Fame Ceremony, a two-day fan experience known as UFC X, and, of course, a special UFC pay-per-view card to cap off the week of festivities in style.
The IFW celebrations in 2024 are set to ignite the combat sports world, and if the UFC roster members are seeking a “Red Panty Night,” now’s the time because Conor McGregor is making his long-awaited return. This is a landmark event that has the potential to challenge the records and excitement of UFC 300, and the anticipation is palpable.
Alongside UFC 302 main and co-main event announcements involving Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Sean Strickland and Paolo Costa, UFC President Dana White, following the amazement of the company’s UFC 300 card, kept the excitement of MMA in 2024 generating when sharing the official date and opponent of Conor McGregor’s return.
On June 29, at the T-Mobile Arena, the biggest attraction in professional mixed martial arts history, McGregor will step back into the octagon after a three-year absence to take on Michael Chandler.
Get ready to place your UFC bets as we prepare for the big fight!
McGregor vs. Chandler: ‘The Notorious’ Returns
Following back-to-back losses versus Dustin Poirier, a broken ankle, a stint in ‘Roadhouse’ alongside Hollywood A-lister Jake Gyllenhaal, and three years away from competitive MMA action, Conor McGregor is finally gracing the UFC fan base with his in-octagon presence.
He was originally scheduled to face Michael Chandler following the pair coaching battle on The Ultimate Fighter, but the bout eventually fizzled. However, with his debut on the big screen behind us, McGregor, now aged 35, is coming home and respectfully giving Chandler the fight he promised him in 2023.
There hasn’t been an official announcement regarding the weight limit of this contest, and while McGregor bulked up for his movie role and looked at least 200 pounds, we should expect either a 170lb or catchweight of 165lb for this UFC 303 main attraction.
Former UFC two-division champ Daniel Cormier has suggested a new ‘super lightweight’ title with a 165-pound limit should be introduced for McGregor vs. Chandler. Still, at the time of writing, McGregor’s star power alone is the driving force of this event.
UFC 303: A UFC PPV Without a Championship Title Fight?
In the promotion’s history, there haven’t been many pay-per-view events without a championship title in the main or co-main event or both! In fact, it’s an incredibly rare occurrence. This has, however, sparked rumors about the UFC’s plans for UFC 303 outside of Conor McGregor’s stardom being the primary draw.
That said, with or without a scheduled championship bout, McGregor’s star power is significant enough to break PPV records alone, and he currently holds the record for being involved in the most PPV main events without a championship up for grabs. From Poirier (twice), Nate Diaz (twice) and Donald Cerrone, McGregor is no stranger to leading pay-per-views without the marketing value of a championship required.
Could the significance of IFW alter the UFC’s mindset on this? I don’t expect a 165lb title to be introduced, but a co-main event with some gold up for grabs is a likely scenario.
Predictions on the UFC 303 Co-Main Event
Our above predicament begs the question: Which weight class, defending champion, and #1 contender could sit in the co-main event position below McGregor vs. Chandler?
I don’t believe the UFC would place a heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight or featherweight title bout in a co-main event position, as most of these divisions are already booked and additionally own enough potential to lead a PPV event of their own. This also reigns true with Sean O’Malley and the bantamweight division, but could you imagine the spectacle UFC 303 would become if ‘Suga’ fought Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event below McGregor/Chandler?
O’Malley is already tipped to be the next biggest superstar, and the bantamweight champion has often expressed his desire for McGregor with the intention to emulate and exceed the Irishman’s superstar success. Unfortunately, the reality is that Suga will most likely make his next defense with his own headline event, potentially at UFC 305 in the Las Vegas sphere.
“Merab’s next, Merab is fucking next. Your wish is granted.”
BOOM! Sean O’Malley listens to the fans! Should be a GOOD ONE.#UFC #MMA #Boxing #SeanOMalley #OMalley #Merab pic.twitter.com/FKeY4bmJj0— Abe (@AbeMorales209) March 25, 2024
So, what’s the most likely outcome if a title fight is added to UFC 305?
Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are now shooting The Ultimate Fighter season 32, and its broadcast is set to begin June 4th. Previously, the UFC would organize a TUF Finale event during IFW, often taking place on the Friday before. That occurrence has not occurred in years, but the timing for the coaches to engage in a trilogy bout at IFW would be ideal. In addition to the fact that McGregor and Chandler served as coaches in season 31, the decision to match them up in the co-main seems logical.
This particular championship battle would be more suitable as a co-main event rather than a solo show headliner, given that it is the third encounter between these flyweight greats.
🚨Your #TUF32 coaches are official 🔥
🇲🇽 Team Grasso vs Team Shevchenko 🇰🇬 pic.twitter.com/O6taNzeGVQ— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 8, 2024
In a situation where the UFC doesn’t include a title bout to UFC 303, which is entirely possible, it’s probable that Colby Covington and Ian Machado Garry will take the co-main event spot. The two top-ranked welterweights have already generated a buzz via social media, taking regular shots at one another. Covington is in much need of a win, and Garry continues his undefeated tenure in search of a position to challenge for Leon Edwards’ strap.
Ian Garry calls for Colby Covington to sign the contract 📝 pic.twitter.com/fdgmH8TKTT
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 23, 2024
UFC 303 Scheduled Bouts
The complete main card and preliminary bout schedule have yet to be finalized, but more than half of the UFC 303 matchups have been announced. You can find the already scheduled UFC 303 fights below, but the bout order (besides the main event) is subject to change.
UFC 303 Main Card Bouts Thus Far
- Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler – UFC 303 Main Event
- UFC 303 Co-Main Event – TBA
- Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili – UFC Featherweight Bout
- Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. – UFC Light Heavyweight Bout
- Michelle Waterson vs. Gillian Robertson – UFC Women’s Strawweight Bout
UFC 303 Preliminary Bouts Thus Far
- Carlos Hernandez vs. Rei Tsuruya – UFC Flyweight Bout
- Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-Andre Barriault – UFC Middleweight Bout
- Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson – UFC Women’s Bantamweight Bout
- Ricky Simon vs. Vinicius Oliveira – UFC Bantamweight Bout
