Fighters and alternates for ‘TUF 31’ have been in Las Vegas since last Tuesday, awaiting Conor McGregor’s arrival. Selections have been made and fighters who made the cut for the show had to turn over their phones when they were informed. The former UFC champ-champ is arrived in Las Vegas and started shooting for the show.
Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) is also ready with his team of coaches, which includes former UFC light heavyweight and current Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. Keeping with ‘TUF’ tradition, McGregor and Chandler are expected to fight at the conclusion of the show, although no specific details about the matchup have been finalized.
Chandler, 36, joined the UFC in 2021 after a long run under the Bellator banner. Since his arrival, he has fought five times, including a shot at the lightweight title against Charles Oliveira. Known for his exciting, hard-hitting style, Chandler has taken home four bonuses for his performances inside the octagon.
McGregor and Chandler will clash against each other this year
The upcoming season of TUF will be McGregor’s second stint as a coach on the show. In his last appearance on the show, McGregor entertained fans throughout the series with his constant attacks against his counterpart, UFC Hall of Famer, Urijah Faber on season 22 of the reality series. The quick-witted comments and the ruthless honesty made the series what it was. As a result, TUF season 25 is one of the most famous seasons.
However, this season could be different. McGregor is a different fighter now and Chandler is a very different character compared to Faber. Therefore, we may not see the same kind of entertainment from Conor McGregor in TUF 31. Despite that, the series will definitely be entertaining. Moreover, it promises to be better than the last time McGregor appeared on the show, as this time, we will get to see McGregor face his counterpart in the octagon.
McGregor was last in action at UFC 264 in July 2021 in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. The fight was stopped in the first round after McGregor broke his ankle, an injury he has been recovering from since.
Here’s how fans reacted:
He looks like in a horrible shape
— Roronoa Zoro (@RoronoaZoro4) February 17, 2023
So fucking pumped for this show and fight.
— Jake (@OSUJAKE1) February 17, 2023
The king is back????
— I'm an_ingenious April fool (@Melizwe07335196) February 17, 2023
Sheesh, can't wait!
— Yogesh K (@The_YogeshK) February 17, 2023
He is literally out of breath, red puffy face for 5 seconds of shadow whatever you wanna call it lol, he is gona get murked
— THEOJESSREBORN (@theojessreborn) February 17, 2023
This man is ready for blood
— Money Kinetics (@moneykinetics) February 17, 2023
The 1 and only ? even Khabob fan boys know it pic.twitter.com/ikutM3aNC1
— Cj (@_christianjz) February 17, 2023
Coner is huge! Wow I don't see him making 55 easy
— shermanator knows mma (@myron14850) February 17, 2023
