UFC’s unprecedented move ahead of Conor McGregor’s Octagon return

The UFC have dropped a bombshell on their fans as speculation runs rife the never before seen move is linked to Conor McGregor.

The UFC have made the unprecedented move to cancel the UFC 303 press conference less than 12 hours out from it getting underway.

The event, set to take place in Dublin, Ireland, was called off with no reschedule date announced in a post that sent social media into a spin.

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While entry to the press conference did not require payment, it was a ticketed event with all allocated tickets snapped up within minutes of their public release.

Fans were ready to flock through the gates to catch a glimpse of Conor McGregor ahead of his return bout against Michael Chandler.

“Dear UFC Fans, The #UFC303 press conference scheduled for Monday June 3rd in Dublin, Ireland at 3Arena has been postponed until further notice,” the UFC posted on X.

“We sincerely apologise to all the fans who were planning to attend. When we have further information on a new date and time, we will share it immediately. – Thank you.”

UFC 303 is set to take place on June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Speculation behind the cancellation quickly whipped around social media with many pointing the finger at McGregor.

The former two-division UFC champ was seen partying it up just weeks ahead of his return to the Octagon.

Conor McGregor partying it up

McGregor partying a month out from UFC return

The Irishman shared footage of himself dancing the night away at an event with his 45 million Instagram followers.

In one of the clips, he could be heard encouraging punters to have a tipple of his Proper Twelve whiskey.

And in another, the UFC icon could be seen dancing in front of his glamorous Forged Irish Stout workers – who also looked like they were enjoying the event.

With the cancellation coming days after the social media footage, fans were quick to pin the UFC’s move on the MMA icon.

Writer Nick Lombardi wrote: “This statement is unlike anything I’ve ever seen from the UFC before. I speculate a significant change is happening to the card, specifically the McGregor v Chandler fight. It’s the only fight that would warrant this type of reaction.”

One user wrote: “Christ what did Conor McGregor do now‍️, just hours before? Lotta Irish fans gonna wake up pretty angry that thought they were going to this.”

A second added: “Conor back at it again.”

Is the return now in jeopardy? (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

If it goes ahead as planned, McGregor’s showdown with Chandler will be his first outing since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly three years ago.

But he insisted he’d have no reservations about throwing his once-shattered shin at the forehead of his rival Ultimate Fighter 31 coach.

In a recent interview with James Corden, he said: “I am Terminator now.

“I have a titanium rod that goes into the knee and down to the bone, right down to my ankle.

“It’s unbreakable.

“I wish for and I will work on landing this kick – with this steel bar in my leg – against an opponent and getting them out of there.”

While he’s been talking a big talk, UFC fans will now eagerly await a reason behind the cancellation just weeks out from the main event.