Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler remains in jeopardy: This fight is very much in limbo

The earlier optimism surrounding Conor McGregor's return to the UFC has faded considerably. Last week, it was reported that McGregor's fight against Michael Chandler, which was expected to headline UFC 303 on June 29, could take place.

Fight in jeopardy

Yet, during Wednesday's edition of The MMA Hour, host Ariel Helwani expressed renewed doubts about the likelihood of the Irish fighter's highly anticipated comeback.

"Yesterday morning I started to hear - as I continued to check in because I know there's a lot of anxiety, a lot of doubt, a lot of concern about this because it's such a big fight and because no one involved are speaking about this publicly, Chandler did the one interview and I think that squashed some concern, but no one is really talking about this - and I found out, via multiple sources, that they are reaching out to people again," Helwani said.

"They are reaching out to managers, they are reaching out to fighters, as potential replacements, as a new fight, as backups, as someone stepping in for McGregor, or just as insurance. Just in case. All these things are in play.

"One step further, here we are, Wednesday, 1:15, the positivity that I talked about exactly one week ago today is nowhere to be found. I would say this fight is very much in limbo.

"I would say it's hanging on and the UFC is working very, very hard right now to figure out a Plan B. The Plan B could be someone stepping in to fight Chandler, the Plan C could be a whole new fight."

Reports suggest that the UFC is now considering alternative plans, indicating uncertainty about the McGregor vs. Chandler matchup.

Currently, neither McGregor, Chandler, nor the UFC have provided reasons for the fight's potential jeopardy. A report by MMA Fighting's Damon Martin confirmed through sources that the bout is in doubt, with the most likely issue being an injury involving McGregor.