UFC superstar Conor McGregor shares one-word reaction to Apex's WWE-friendly transformation for NXT Battleground event
Conor McGregor is expected to make his highly-anticipated return to the octagon later this month when he faces Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303, ending a three-year hiatus. The former double champion recently reacted to footage of the UFC Apex being transformed for WWE NXT Battleground over the weekend.
The official X account for TKO Group Holdings, Inc. - which is a media conglomerate created by Endeavor that saw the UFC and WWE merge into one - shared behind-the-scenes footage of the transformation, tweeting:
"From the @ufc to @WWE : Witness the time-lapse of the Apex being transformed for @WWENXT Battleground this past weekend! 🛠️"
'The Notorious' responded to the footage with just one word, labeling it as:
"Awesome!"
Check out the official transformation footage and Conor McGregor's response below:
WWE NXT Underground marked the company's first event held at the UFC Apex. In fact, it was the first event that wasn't either UFC or Power Slap held at the venue.
Several UFC stars were on hand to watch the event, including Forrest Griffin, Jamahal Hill, Brandon Moreno, Merab Dvalishvili and Khalil Rountree. It is unclear if the WWE plans to hold more events at the UFC Apex in the future now that the two companies have merged.
Ariel Helwani suggests Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler may be in jeopardy
Conor McGregor has remained inactive since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. 'The Notorious' appeared set to return to the octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 later this month. However, Ariel Helwani recently suggested the bout may be in jeopardy, tweeting:
"Latest on UFC 303: Around this time last week, all the anxiety surrounding the UFC 303 main event seemed to start to dissipate. By Wednesday, no more feelers about replacements were being sent out. All systems seemed to be a go (again). Later in the week, Chandler did an interview with The Pivot about it being all good, and on Saturday UFC was promoting it again on the ABC fight night telecast. There was a scare about the fight being off and the scare appeared to be no more."
He added:
"But since this morning, mutiple sources are now saying feelers are being sent out again for June 29. For a replacement and/or new fight(s). In short, there seems to pessimism all over again regarding the status of the 303 main event. Actually even more pessimism, it seems, than on Monday last week after the presser was cancelled at the last minute."
Check out Ariel Helwani's tweet on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler below:
It is unclear exactly what is putting the bout in jeopardy, as fans have not been given much information. A press conference set to take place in Dublin, Ireland, last Monday had been canceled without explanation. The bout is scheduled for just over two weeks from now, meaning that fans should have more answers regarding Conor McGregor's return soon.