Chael Sonnen Believes Potential UFC 303 Fight Cancellation Would Cause Conor McGregor to Retire

Chael Sonnen believes the potential cancellation of the UFC 303 fight would result in Conor McGregor’s retirement.

UFC 303 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Headlining the event is the highly anticipated welterweight bout between Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA). The two were opposing coaches on TUF 31.

The Irishman has not fought since July 2021, when he was defeated by Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA) at UFC 264.

“Iron” last fought in November 2022, where he too was defeated by Poirier at UFC 281.

In recent days, there has been uncertainty in the MMA community as to whether or not we will see McGregor vs. Chandler on June 29. The UFC 303 pre-fight press conference scheduled for June 3 in Dublin has been postponed until further notice, leading to rumors that the UFC was seeking an alternative main event.

Analyst Chael Sonnen shares his views on the upcoming UFC 303 and what it could mean for McGregor if the fight doesn’t go ahead.

Sonnen, speaking on his YouTube channel, shared:

“If Conor McGregor doesn’t show up for this, I’m here to let you know if you feel like he’s still fighting or he’s still in the business or he’s not feeling well and ‘They’re doing it another day, or he and Chandler are going to be somewhere later – I’m here to let you know now, if anyone tells you that, you’ve been given bad information.

Chael Sonnen continues to advise (h/t MMAJunkie):

“If McGregor doesn’t show up on June 29 and fight Michael Chandler at 170 pounds, that’s exactly the same as announcing Conor McGregor’s retirement from the sport.”

It should be noted that McGregor has never pulled out of a fight.

With UFC 303 just two weeks away, the promotion has remained strangely silent on whether or not the McGregor vs. Chandler main event will be confirmed.

Do you agree with Chael Sonnen that if Conor McGregor didn’t fight at UFC 303, he would essentially announce his retirement from the sport?

Share your thoughts in the PENN Nation comments section!