The UFC returns to the T-Mobile Arena for UFC 303 when the iconic Conor McGregor returns to the octagon for the first time in almost three years to finally take on Michael Chandler.
The 'Notorious' one hasn't fought since suffering a broken leg in a defeat to Dustin Poirier back in July 2021, while Chandler has been on the sidelines waiting for this fight to happen for almost one-and-a-half years.
We'll take a look at the main event and break down both fighters' chances of success, while providing you with our best free UFC betting picks to try and earn you some extra cash.
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UFC 303 information
- Saturday, June 29th 2024
- T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Welterweight fight (170 pounds)
- 5 x 5 minute rounds
- Main card start time 22:00 ET
Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler
This fight is one of the most anticipated of the year simply because the legendary and iconic McGregor returns to action after years on the sidelines.
McGregor was the UFC's first-ever simultaneous two-weight world champion back in 2016 after defeating Eddie Alvarez in stunning fashion for the lightweight championship, adding to his featherweight title which he earned following a 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo.
Since then though he has lost four of his last five fights including a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr, a world title match against Khabib Nurmagomedov and twice to Poirier which is when he broke his leg in his last outing.
McGregor has a professional record of 22-6 with 18 knockouts and is without doubt one of the most influential combat sports athletes of all-time.
He'll be coming up against Iron Michael Chandler at UFC 303, who has a 2-3 record since joining the UFC from Bellator.
His debut saw him claim a sensational knockout win over Dan Hooker, which set up a shot at the vacant lightweight title before he was knocked out by Charles Oliveira. Chandler then suffered a defeat to Justin Gaethje in the fight of the year for 2021, before destroying Tony Ferguson with a brutal head-kick knockout.
Last time out though Chandler was submitted by Poirier in the third-round of their war, leaving him with a professional record of 23-8 including 11 knockouts and seven submission wins.
Route to victory
This is a classic clash of styles between two fighters, but the outcome will depend greatly on what approach both men take.
McGregor is one of the best kickboxers in the game but in recent years he has shifted more towards a traditional boxing style, with his piston-like left-hand still powerful enough to knock anyone out with just one shot.
His kicks are also excellent and he has been vocal about wanting to test his leg in his next fight, after he had a metal rod inserted following the break.
Chandler on the other hand is a wrestler with a solid ground game, but he usually prefers to fight with his heart rather than his head and likes to go for straight shootouts with his opponents which has been his downfall on several occasions.
He hits hard and has decent kicks too, but in a straight up striking bout with McGregor he is surely going to be out-gunned. If Chandler wants to prioritize a victory rather than a payday, then he must wrestle and control McGregor from top position while using his ground-and-pound.
Conor on the other hand will need to be alert to that and use his footwork well, while using his fantastic boxing to work combinations and land power shots to end the fight early.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
UFC Picks: McGregor to return with a win?
This fight could really go either way, and that is widely reflected in the odds with the bookmakers having it as a pick 'em.
Chandler realistically should be the favorite heading in considering he has been far more active and has a style with his wrestling that has traditionally caused his opponent problems.
However, it's not a style that has had huge amounts of success against McGregor, although this is a very different version of the Irish superstar.
Chandler is likely to have a similar game plan to what Chad Mendes had many years ago, but McGregor was able to eventually get back to his feet and claim a late second-round stoppage in that fight. However, that was when he was in his prime and totally dedicated to the sport.
That isn't the case anymore unfortunately, but he's still a stud and hits hard. Chandler has never relied on his wrestling as his primary game plan since being in the UFC, regardless of opponent, and he will feel that McGregor is someone he can get a highlight from which will make him headhunt.
With that said, I expect McGregor to land a big left-hand counter at some point in the early rounds that will put Chandler down before the referee steps in to save him in a mega comeback for the UFC's biggest cash cow.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
