Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return at UFC 303 sets a new live-gate record with over $20 million in ticket sales two months before the fight. Despite criticism over ticket prices, the event is generating massive hype.
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- Conor McGregor’s comeback fight at UFC 303 sets a new live-gate record with over $20 million in ticket sales.
- McGregor will face Michael Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas, marking his first fight in three years.
- Despite high ticket prices, fans have eagerly purchased tickets, including VIP packages over $12,000.
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Conor McGregor’s Comeback Fight Sets Live-Gate Record
Conor McGregor‘s highly anticipated return to the UFC has already set a new live-gate record for the promotion, two months ahead of his fight against Michael Chandler.
UFC president Dana White announced that ticket sales for UFC 303, scheduled for June 29 at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, have surpassed $20 million.
This figure breaks the previous record of $17.7 million, set during McGregor’s knockout win against Eddie Alvarez in 2016 at Madison Square Garden.
Fans React to High Ticket Prices for UFC 303
While the excitement for McGregor’s comeback remains high, fans have criticized the steep ticket prices for the event.
Despite this, many tickets, including VIP packages priced over $12,000, have already been sold.
McGregor’s fight against Chandler marks his return to the octagon after a three-year hiatus following his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, where he suffered a broken leg.
McGregor’s Training Methods Ahead of UFC 303
In preparation for his return, McGregor has shared a video on Instagram showing his unconventional training methods, including tree hugging.
In the video, McGregor says, “Little walk through the park to the gym, a bit of grounding. Walk, tree hug. Look at these trees… I’ve been hugging the trees lately, it’s a nice little feeling yeah. Grounding, tree hugging, all of this nature stuff. It feels very good, now I’m going to go in and bust someone up.”
Michael Chandler Confident Ahead of McGregor Fight
Michael Chandler, McGregor’s opponent, is confident in his abilities ahead of their bout.
Chandler stated, “I am the better fighter, I am the tougher fighter and I’m the guy who deserves it more. I don’t need to be getting into a firefight with a guy who has got a bigger rifle than me. I think I hit harder than he does. From the first exchange, I’m going to hit him with big punches, make him second guess himself. Pick him up, put him down and choke him if I want to. Go out there and get the finish.”
UFC 303 Features Star-Studded Undercard
The UFC 303 card is shaping up to be a thrilling event, with nine fights announced so far.
Highlights include a light heavyweight bout between former champion Jamahal Hill and contender Khalil Rountree Jr., as well as former UFC heavyweight champion Andre Arlovski’s 60th professional MMA fight against Martin Bunday.
Rising prospect Payton Talbott, with an 8-0 record, will face Yanis Ghemmouri.Welterweight contender Ian Garry is also hoping to secure a spot on the card.
Garry has been seeking a fight with Michael ‘Venom’ Page and expressed his excitement about potentially competing on the same night as McGregor, saying, “To fight and compete on the same night as [McGregor], watch him go out and do his thing, hear his walkout, sit side by side with him at the press conference, and just be grateful to be in the presence of the greatest to ever do it in the UFC.”
Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC has generated immense excitement and set new records even before the fight night.
With a stacked undercard and high-profile main event, UFC 303 promises to be a landmark event in MMA history.
Fans are counting down the days until June 29, eager to witness McGregor’s comeback and the matchups slated for the card.