Conor McGregor’s return is ‘very much in limbo’ as UFC source reveals Dana White is ‘exploring’ replacement options

CONOR MCGREGOR’S return to the UFC is hanging in the balance, it is claimed.

The Notorious was set to return to the Octagon later this month in the main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

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But fears over his Sin City showdown with Michael Chandler were raised last weekend when MMA’s top promotion abruptly canceled a pre-fight press conference in Dublin.

Speculation is rife that the Irish is dealing with an injury, although there is currently no concrete evidence to support the wild theories currently circulating.

UFC bosses were positive last week that Mac’s Return would go ahead as planned, although that optimism is apparently waning.

This is what veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani says, who claims that the decisive fight at UFC 303 is now in “limbo”.

During the last episode of MMA timethe Canadian said: “On Monday last week, I would say the level of optimism was not very high.

“There was some concern, there was some doubt, there were roadblocks.

“I came to this program on Wednesday and said optimism was high.

“There was a lot of positivity, all those words I used. It felt like we had dodged a bullet, it felt like we had turned a corner.

“On Tuesday, I reported that the UFC was sending out surveys, was contacting fighters and managers to see who might be available to replace the fight.

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“It means two new fighters or stepping in and replacing one of the fighters involved to fight on this card.

“Obviously, the fighter we’re talking about is Conor McGregor, because if not, why would Chandler be ready to board a plane to Dublin?

“So I said it looked like we were all fine, and on Wednesday no probes were being dropped, no one was talking about it, really.

“It felt like all systems were go.

“Yesterday morning I started listening – as I continued to check in because I know there’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of doubt, a lot of concern about this because it’s such a big fight and because no one involved is talking about it publicly.

“Chandler gave an interview and I think that quelled some concerns.

“But no one is really talking about it – and I found out from several sources that they are contacting people again.

“They are looking for coaches, they are looking for fighters, as potential replacements, as a new fight, as reinforcements, as someone replacing McGregor, or just as safe.

“Just in case. All of these things are at stake.

Inside McGregor’s Notorious Lifestyle

With more sides to his personality than an octagon, Conor McGregor’s rise has been fascinating.

“One step further, here we are, Wednesday, 1:15 pm, the positivity I talked about exactly a week ago is nowhere to be found.

“I would say this fight is in limbo.

“I would say it’s holding up and the UFC is working very, very hard right now to come up with a Plan B.

“Plan B could be someone stepping in to fight Chandler, Plan C could be a whole new fight.”

The UFC has not yet commented on the status of the International Fight Week headliner.

McGregor, 35, has not given any updates on his condition other than a social media post of him lying on a physical therapy bed.

The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion hasn’t set foot in the Octagon since breaking his left leg in the trilogy with Dustin Poirier three years ago.