A major occurrence in the UFC world has altered the lineup of one of this year’s most anticipated fight nights that will be headlined by former two-weight world champion Connor McGregor. The main event of UFC 303 will take place on June 29th in Las Vegas, as Connor McGregor will fight for his comeback card against lightweight champion Michael Chandler.
However, a recent turn of events will alter the co-main event which has now been canceled due to UFC fighter Khalil Rountree Jr. failing a recent drug test. Rountree was scheduled to fight light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill as a co-main event to McGregor and Chandler. Unfortunately for Rountree, the fighter tested positive on a drug test which has canceled the co-main event altogether. Rountree is a rising star in the UFC world as he has recently won five matches in a row to stoppage.
Rountree announced his withdrawal from the event on social media. Rountree posted that he felt “gutted” to deliver fans the unfortunate news due to the test result that showed he had taken a banned substance. Rountree further explained that the substance he took was not intentional, and also was not a matter of performance enhancement or, “cheating”. Rountree confirmed via social media that he was taking a “personalized, tailored supplement” from a company he trusted and that only after he consumed it did he find out the ingredients. Rountree claimed that the substance in question was DHEA, which is prohibited by UFC policy. DHEA is a hormone supplement that produces hormones for both men and women. Rountree finalized his statement by apologizing to his fans and now-former opponent.
UFC 303 will be a huge event for the UFC as it is Connor McGregor’s first octagon appearance since he broke his leg in his trilogy fight against lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in 2021. McGregor claims that the titanium rod placed in his leg will help him succeed.
