Conor McGregor to headline UFC 300? Oddsmakers slash odds as Dana White teases announcement

It was initially considered to be highly unlikely, but oddsmakers are beginning to seriously buy in to the idea of Conor McGregor headlining UFC 300.

The event, which is already loaded with crowd-pleasing matchups, has plenty of cache already due to its landmark status as the promotion’s 300th pay-per-view show.

That fact meant that it was thought unlikely that McGregor – who would pull huge numbers, regardless of the event – would be included on the card. But, with the UFC still to announce a headliner for the April 13 event, bookies are starting to believe that “The Notorious” could be involved at the top of the card, after all.

UFC CEO Dana White has teased an upcoming announcement for UFC 300’s main event, which will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. And the bookies have slashed odds on McGregor being the headline star.

Oddsmakers at Instant Casino have cut their odds from 20/1 to 2/1 after McGregor suggested that he could be ready for April.

A spokesperson for Instant Casino said, “Whilst fans had clamoured for McGregor to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 300, it was assumed there was no chance given his commitments to filming Road House throughout 2023, and his time away from the sport.

“However, McGregor has appeared drastically leaner in recent weeks, even suggesting himself he could be ready for April and a bout with TUF rival Michael Chandler could well now headline the historic UFC 300 card.

“With a whole host of top fights already packing out the bill, to bring back ‘The Notorious’’ and end his three-year injury exile from competition on the biggest card in the organisation’s history would be fitting.”

If the UFC did look to add a McGregor main event for UFC 300, Chandler might not be the only option available to the UFC. A trilogy fight with Nate Diaz would pique the interest of fight fans, with the rivalry between the pair standing at one win apiece.

Diaz stunned McGregor with a rear-naked choke submission victory at UFC 196, while McGregor evened the score with a majority decision victory after a back-and-forth barnburner at UFC 202.