UFC superstar Conor McGregor is out his main event bout with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to injury.
Headlining International Fight Week’s yearly event will now be Alex Pereira defending his title in a rematch against Jiri Prochazka.
The co-main event sets up a massive fight in the featherweight division between former title challenger Brian Ortega and rising star Diego Lopes.
Jamahal Hill is also out of his co-main bout against Carlos Ulberg due to a knee injury.
Ulberg now faces Anthony Smith on the PPV main card.
UFC CEO Dana White announced then changes on social media.
UFC 303 International Fight Week June 29th pic.twitter.com/P47PSsKcg0
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 14, 2024
Pereira (10-2) steps into the main event spot against Prochazka coming off a first round finish of Hill. The two have fought before with Pereira taking the 205 title from Prochazka via second round TKO.
Perhaps the biggest fight on the card is now the co-main event between Ortega and Lopes. Ortega is coming off a submission victory over Yair Rodriguez in Mexico this past February. A victory here could put him on a short list for another shot at a title.
Lopes (24-6) has been on a tear since arriving in the UFC. He lost a shot-notice bout against Movsar Evloev. Since then he’s gone 3-0 with all finishes coming in the first round.
Smith (38-19) looks to capitalize on the opportunity to face Ulberg on a big PPV card. He comes off a first round finish of Vitor Petrino in Brazil in May.
Conor McGregor’s withdrawal due to injury puts him closer to 3 years inactive after suffering a leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021.
No word as to if or when McGregor vs. Chandler will be rebooked at the time of this post.
