The latest buzz in the UFC world revolves around a potential matchup between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes for the upcoming UFC 303 event. According to reports from The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani, discussions are underway to include this fight on the card.
Adding to the intrigue, there are indications that the co-main event featuring Jamahal Hill and Carlos Ulberg might require a replacement fighter. This development comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the highly anticipated bout between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.
Speculation is rife that the McGregor-Chandler fight could be in jeopardy, with the UFC scrambling to find a suitable solution. Despite efforts to salvage the event, no concrete plan has been put into action yet.
McGregor, who has been absent from the octagon since 2021, was slated to make his comeback at UFC 303. However, with the recent turn of events, the status of his fight remains up in the air. Concerns escalated last week when a scheduled press conference in Dublin was abruptly canceled.
Originally set to face Hill, Khalil Rountree Jr. was replaced by Ulberg after testing positive for a banned substance in May. The potential matchup between Ortega and Lopes raises questions about its position on the fight card, particularly if it is intended to replace the Hill-Ulberg bout as the co-main event.
As the UFC grapples with these last-minute changes, the once highly anticipated UFC 303 event scheduled for June 29 now hangs in the balance. The organization finds itself in a race against time to address the evolving circumstances and ensure a successful event.
