Forward of Tuesday’s first episode of TUF 31, headlined by coaches Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler on ESPN and ESPN+, UFC president Dana White mentioned he was happy with how the present was filmed. Because it has performed since 2005, the annual actuality tv sequence seems to be for the following era of expertise to affix the UFC roster to grow to be a world champion finally.
Though McGregor, the previous UFC multiple-weight world champion, and Chandler, the previous UFC light-weight title challenger, have had their fair proportion of phrases over time, White revealed the season’s filming introduced out the very best in each opponents and the way they settled their variations.
“It was good; it was clean,” White mentioned. “Whereas they’re going to battle one another, and there’s this rigidity [on the show leading up to it], there’s additionally a stage of respect between these two, which makes filming rather a lot simpler.”
Conor McGregor has familiarity with the TUF format, as he coached TUF 22 in opposition to former WEC mainstay and UFC Corridor of Famer Urijah Faber in 2015. Nonetheless, in keeping with White, TUF 31 has increased stakes, given the place each males stand within the light-weight divisional image.
“Take all the opposite issues off the desk [TUF, “McGregor Forever”], you already know what I imply,” White mentioned. Chandler vs. McGregor is simply, stylistically, such a enjoyable battle. The battle sells itself. After which all the extra methods to get into the battle, it’s an absolute no-brainer.
Quotes transcribed by way of The MacLife.
Conor McGregor has been sidelined for practically two years after struggling back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier, enduring a grotesque leg harm within the pair’s extremely anticipated trilogy bout in July 2021 at UFC 264. The Irishman has not received consecutive bouts since 2016, as his final win got here in opposition to Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in Jan. 2020.
As for Michael Chandler, he continues to make his case for one more shot at light-weight gold. The 37-year-old turned in a highlight-reel end in opposition to Tony Ferguson in Could 2022 and delivered in a back-and-forth slugfest in opposition to Poirier six months later, although he was on the unsuitable finish of a late third-round rear-naked-choke.
At press time, neither a date nor a location has been introduced, though White is hopeful the bout will occur previous to 12 months’s finish.
Which coach will emerge victorious on TUF 31 and within the Octagon, Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler? Tell us your ideas within the feedback, Penn Nation!
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