Ariel Helwani Suggests UFC U-Turn On Conor McGregor Headlining UFC 300: 'I've Heard Since That Maybe Plans Are Changing'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated 11/21/23

When Conor McGregor re-entered the USADA testing pool back in October, everything appeared to be building towards one specific destination.

His six-month period in the pool would set him up perfectly to return in a huge way at the landmark UFC 300 event.

Unfortunately, it appeared that the UFC had other plans for the event as McGregor's head coach, John Kavanagh, revealed on The MMA Hour.

On the latest episode of Sean O'Malley's podcast, the TimboSugarShow, Ariel Helwani revealed that despite Kavanagh's concerns about a later date for "The Notorious", the schedule may still be being shifted around.

"I've heard since that maybe plans are changing."

The UFC bantamweight champion jokingly remarked that in his eyes it has to be McGregor closing the show or nothing.

"It would be such a disappointment, UFC 300. Anyone other than Conor vs Michael Chandler, Conor vs Gaethje, Conor has to be main event of UFC 300 or I'm not watching. Jokes, I'll watch but I'll be sad."

Ariel Helwani Explains Thought Process Behind Conor McGregor Doubt At UFC 300

Helwani went on to explain the likely cause for why the UFC hasn't yet confirmed when McGregor will be making his return.

The Irishman has been very vocal over the last few years of his career about wanting to be kept active by the promotion, aside from the time off due to his injury of course.

Helwani says that the UFC are trying too hard to stretch McGregor's shine to other events that might need it more but with the former champ champ back and ready to go, he has to be a part of the biggest card of the year.

"Sometimes I feel like the UFC, because Conor is such a big deal, they try to find like the perfect scenario for him to fight in and I can understand from a business stand point why you wouldn't want to put him on 300.

"300 is going to sell itself because of the pageantry of the number and whatnot so maybe if you put him on 301, you get two bites of that million buy apple if you get what I'm saying because maybe 301 wouldn't be great without him but to me, come on man. Conor's ready to go, who knows how many fights he has left in him, he's foaming at the mouth, he's almost begging for a fight. Put him on that damn card"

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This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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