Alex Poatan replaces Conor McGregor and makes UFC 303 main fight

Alex Poatán He is UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFCEspanol

Alex Poatán is the new protagonist of UFC 303. The Brazilian, who is light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg), replaces Conor McGregor x Michael chandler and has a main fight in a rematch with Jiri Prochazka on June 29th. The Irishman was injured and will not be able to perform at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas (USA). The announcement was made by Dana White on her social networks.

Poatan has a record of ten wins and two defeats, having already won Jiri Prochazka in November 2023. The São Paulo native returns to action less than three months after knocking out Jamahal hill No. UFC 300, in April.

Prochazka, in turn, was at the top of the division and needed just one victory, against Alexandr Rakic ​​at the same event, to get the rematch. In its trajectory, there are 30 positive results, four negatives and one draw.

The original main fight, between McGregor and Chandler, had already been at risk since June 3, when the UFC canceled the athletes' press conference in Dublin without further explanation. Videos of McGregor at parties shortly before the fight fueled rumors of cancellation, which came to fruition days later. The organization did not release details about the injury.

@AlexPereiraUFC e @Jiri_BJP make the new main fight of the #UFC303, on June 29

Learn more: https://t.co/sgiWGf3d0I pic.twitter.com/ti3x4ZhvBr

- UFC Brazil (@UFCBrasil) June 14, 2024

In addition to Poatan, Brazilian is in co-main fight

The co-main fight also underwent changes: Jamahal hill x Carlos Ulberg was canceled and replaced by Diego lopes x Brian ortega.

Ulberg, who is a pupil of Israel adesanya, was 'demoted' in the programming and now faces the veteran Anthony Smith.