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On Sunday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will hold the 303rd number tournament, which was awaited by millions of fans due to the long-awaited return of former dual league champion Conor McGregor. However, the Irishman withdrew from the fight against American Michael Chandler due to a broken little toe. Sports talks about the new main event of the evening and other high-profile signs of the show, which has noticeably faded due to the absence of the main star of the organization on the card.
The Notorious has not stepped into the cage since July 2021, when he broke his leg in his third fight with Dustin Poirier. That fight was like in a past life: Conor got into scandals and never stopped “fighting” on social networks, made political statements and threatened to run for president, rejoiced at the birth of his children and posted obscene photographs from ongoing parties… He even starred in a film! But he never made it to the octagon – less than a month before UFC 303, which adorns the International Fight Week, McGregor again “dumped” the unfortunate Chandler (for the way he patiently waits for Conor’s return, the American began to be called Hachiko) and the fans, talking about new fracture.
However, ex-UFC fighter, now commentator and expert Chael Sonnen said that McGregor did not drop out because of an injured little finger. The reason was allegedly being in a rehab, where the athlete is helped to get rid of all possible addictions.
Wherever the star fighter is, fans will be with him in the coming months they won't see the cage. But there are less than two days left before the grand tournament – what will we get in return?
UFC 303. Pereira – Prochaska II
- When:June 29 (on the night of the 30th Moscow time);
- < strong>Where:T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (USA);
- Start time: 1am Moscow time;
- Broadcast: broadcast on public TV will begin at 05:00 Moscow time;
- Odds: 1.5 vs. 2.4 in favor of Pereira.
Brazilian Alex Pereira and Czech Jiri Prochazka came to the rescue, who fought at the organization’s 300th anniversary tournament in April. The UFC light heavyweight champion brutally knocked out American Jamal Hill in the first round, suffering almost no damage. What can’t be said about the Samurai: Prochazka staged a real massacre with the Austrian Alexander Rakic and came out of it triumphantly (technical knockout in the second round).
The UFC management clearly sympathizes with the Czech. Otherwise, Dana White would not have given Prochazka a rematch with Pereira, who extinguished Jiri’s lights in November 2023. Then, at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York, almost nothing happened for the eccentric fighter – the ex-champion will have a chance to improve tomorrow.
This fight is extremely interesting for us in the context of Magomed Ankalaev’s pursuit of gold.
The Russian has not lost in 12 fights; at the beginning of the year, the humble light heavyweight knocked out poor Brazilian Johnny Walker, making a serious bid for the title of No. 1 contender. I would like to believe that Magomed will be next in line after Prochazka and the promotion will finally test Pereira (the clear favorite of the main event) with a meeting with a stylistically awkward wrestler.
Also on the main card was a showdown between top American Brian Ortega and Brazilian Diego Lopez, who became one of the main discoveries of 2023. The fight will be closely watched by the undefeated Russian Movsar Evloev, who, like Ankalaev, still cannot achieve the coveted “title”. There is a possibility that he will have to face the winner of the co-main event (a rematch with Lopez will be bright, but for the hype, a confrontation with Ortega is preferable).
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Before this, we will see a fight between elite light heavyweights Anthony Smith (USA) – Roman Dolidze (Georgia) and a meeting between McGregor's loquacious successor, representing Ireland, Ian Machado Garry, with the eminent Briton Michael Page, who successfully debuted in the UFC after almost a decade in Bellator.
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Despite the fact that there are no Russians at the tournament, in the preliminary card, domestic MMA fans will be able to cheer for the former UFC heavyweight champion, Belarusian Andrei Orlovsky. Pitbull is going through hard times (three defeats in a row), so the legend must leave the cage with his hand raised in victory at all costs.
The rival of 45-year-old Orlovsky in his 42nd fight in the American League – Slovakian Martin Budaj, who before the fight lost to Shamil Gaziev was on a streak of 12 victories. .jpg” />
All fights of the tournament in Las Vegas
Main card :
- Alex Pereira – Jiri Prochazka;
- Brian Ortega – Diego Lopez;
- Anthony Smith – Roman Dolidze;
- Mayra Bueno Silva – Macy Chiasson;
- Ian Machado Garry – Michael Page.
Prelims:
- Joe Pifer – Marc-Andre Bario;
- Cub Swanson – Andre Fili;
- Charles Jordain – Jean Silva;
- Payton Talbott – Yanis Jemmouri;
- Michelle Waterson – Gillian Robertson;
- Andrei Orlovsky – Martin Budaj;
- Rei Tsuruya – Carlos Hernandez;
- Ricky Simon – Vinicius De Oliveira.
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