A month ago, UFC 303 promised to be the event of the year. The return of Conor McGregor, Jamahal Hill in the co-feature, and Las Vegas as a setting for a dream night. However, the first setback came when Khalil Rountree, Hill’s rival, tested positive for a substance prohibited by the UFC (DHEA), which meant that he was left out of the fight. Even so, Carlos Ulberg offered himself as a replacement, the solution being equal to or better than what had already been agreed upon.
Despite this, these last two weeks have completely revolutionized the billboard. The rumors about an injury to McGregor ended up being confirmed, with the Irishman out of the main fight against Michael Chandler. To make matters worse, almost simultaneously it was announced Jamahal Hill’s injury, leaving the two main fights of the evening in the air.
To big troubles, big solutions
Dana White’s response in video form was immediate, announcing three new fights at the same time. In the star, Pereira and Prochazka appeared on the scene to compete for the light heavyweight title for the second time in less than a year. In the first installment of this saga, ‘Poatan’ knocked out the Czech in the second round with its now historic left crochet.
On the other hand, Anthony Smith offered to fight Ulberg, but since it was not such a relevant fight, the head of the company was forced to restructure the card, announcing Brian Ortega against Diego Lopes as the new co-star, and relegating Smith vs Ulberg to third position. However, today the injury of the latter was known, which left this cursed fight in limbo again.
Dolidze, another unexpected hero
If Anthony Smith was already considered a hero for saying yes to such a dangerous fight with two weeks left, Roman Dolidze has doubled down. There is talk that the Georgian middleweight fighter would be willing to move up a division to fight Smith on short notice one week before the event.
It must be remembered that he comes from a tough defeat against Imavov, but if he accepts, Dana White will surely give a good financial reward to both. Whether they end up sticking or not, it is clear that this fight is cursed, since there have been up to five different fighters as protagonists, so far. Definitely, it is being one of the toughest months in the history of the company in terms of injuries, which has generated numerous economic losses.
