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At the UFC 316 press conference, Jon Anik predicted a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall in December, despite Aspinall claiming Jones has retired. The event was marked by crowd chants to strip Jones of his belt and heated exchanges between fighters, with ongoing speculation about Jones's status and the heavyweight division's future.
Oscar De La Hoya, the former boxing champion and promoter, has expressed a willingness to move past his feud with UFC CEO Dana White, particularly over the issue of MMA fighters transitioning into boxing for bigger paydays. Despite White's reluctance to promote crossover fights after Conor McGregor's bout with Floyd Mayweather, De La Hoya believes MMA fighters are drawn to boxing for the financial benefits and the chance to test their skills. This comes in the wake of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou's move to PFL and his upcoming boxing match with Anthony Joshua, highlighting the ongoing debate between the two sports' figures about the value and viability of crossover fights.
Ariel Helwani speculates that the UFC has a surprise in store for the landmark UFC 300 event, despite the absence of big names like Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal from the card. With three fights confirmed, including Sterling vs. Kattar, Rakic vs. Procházka, and Nickal vs. Brundage, Helwani hints at a potential non-main event attraction and expresses his belief that a Conor McGregor comeback would be the most fitting headline for such a significant event. However, he remains skeptical about the current lineup living up to the UFC 300 hype.
UFC 300 is approaching, but the UFC is struggling to find a main event that matches the significance of the milestone event. With Conor McGregor set to return in June and other big names like Israel Adesanya, Jorge Masvidal, and Nate Diaz not expected to be on the card, the promotion is reportedly looking for a "rabbit in their hat" to create a memorable lineup. MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has expressed skepticism about the current options being "300-worthy," indicating that while the UFC is working on something special, it may not be a headline-worthy fight. Fans and insiders are left speculating on what matchup could elevate UFC 300 to meet its historic expectations.
UFC President Dana White has assured that Conor McGregor's return to the octagon is being worked on, following McGregor's expression of frustration over fight delays. McGregor, who has not fought since July 2021 due to a leg injury, was expected to face Michael Chandler after their coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter. While the fight has yet to materialize, White has been in discussions with McGregor and promises more fight announcements for UFC 300, though the main event is still undecided. Fans speculate that McGregor's comeback could potentially headline the event.