Within the MMA community, a prevailing sentiment among fans is that Conor McGregor should have been a featured part of the UFC 300 main event.
McGregor, widely considered the sport’s biggest-ever star, has historically drawn unparalleled attention.
The absence of this megastar from a landmark event like UFC 300 seems incongruent to many enthusiasts, prompting speculation that McGregor‘s return to the octagon might be a surprising twist for this significant occasion.
Are fans expecting McGregor to receive the same treatment as Brock Lesnar?
This potential surprise move by the UFC mirrors the strategy employed during the pre-Conor McGregor era when Brock Lesnar assumed the role of a surprise headliner at UFC 200.
Lesnar, a former WWE star and reigning UFC heavyweight champion in 2009, headlined UFC 100, becoming the highest-selling pay-per-view event until McGregor‘s emergence.
The UFC repeated this strategy by bringing Lesnar back for UFC 200, unveiling the news as a surprise to the audience. Similarly, the UFC may be adopting a similar approach with McGregor, keeping details of his return under wraps.
While McGregor‘s fight with Michael Chandler is slated for 2024, the lack of an official date, coupled with McGregor’s clearance by USADA, raises the possibility that the UFC deliberately conceals McGregor‘s UFC 300 appearance to spring a surprise on fans.
Given the stacked lineups of UFC 298 and UFC 299, fans have expressed disappointment in the perceived lackluster fight card for UFC 300. A McGregor headliner could potentially elevate the event’s status, aligning with the notion that UFC 300 should be the pinnacle event for the promotion in 2024.
However, there is also speculation that McGregor might not feature in UFC 300. The UFC, thriving financially with lucrative TV deals and a globally recognized brand, may be hesitant to hinge the success of UFC 300 solely on McGregor. McGregor‘s popularity and individual brand strength have at times seemed to challenge the UFC brand.
UFC 300, in the eyes of the promotion, should be substantial enough to achieve success independently of a McGregor appearance.