The Ultimate Fighter 31 | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Coach expects Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler fight to resemble Chad Mendes win: ‘It’s an exciting one’

Straight Blast Gym head coach, John Kavanagh has briefly broken down his student, Conor McGregor’s expected UFC return against lightweight contender, Michael Chandler later this year – explaining how he expects the matchup to resemble the Dubliner’s 2015 fight with Chad Mendes, where he clinched the interim featherweight championship. McGregor, a former undisputed UFC lightweight […]

McGregor, a former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, touched down in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday, as he prepares to begin filming The Ultimate Fighter 31 against the above-mentioned, Chandler, with the duo expected to fight at the finale of the reality television show.

Conor McGregor landed in Las Vegas this week to begin filming for TUF

Yet to officially book a date for their pairing, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, who are expected to fight at the welterweight limit of 170lbs, have been floated for a potential September clash.

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid to common-opponent, Dustin Poirier, McGregor’s next Octagon outing will come as the first since he fractured his left tibia and fibula en route to a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss back in July 2021.

As for Chandler, the Missouri veteran also suffered his most recent defeat to Poirier – who submitted the former with a third round rear-naked choke at UFC 281 in November at Madison Square Garden.

Previewing his product’s return against Chandler later this year, the above-mentioned Kavanagh explained how he believes the Dubliner’s fight with the former could very well resemble his 2015 interim featherweight title triumph over Mendes.

“I think it (Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler) could resemble a little bit the (Chad) Mendes fight,” John Kavanagh told Sherdog. “Mendes was that style; blocky guy, (with) big punches, (with) big double legs. I think that’s how it could go. Conor (McGregor) has a good record against those kind of orthodox, stocky wrestlers with big overhand rights and big double legs.”

“It’s an exciting one to prepare for,” Kavanagh explained. “Chandler – he’s an excellent fighter, he’s got a great résumé.”

Headlining UFC 189 against Mendes at the MGM Grand back in 2015, McGregor rallied after finding himself on the receiving end of multiple takedowns in the first and second round, to finish the Team Alpha MMA staple in the final seconds of the second frame, capturing the interim featherweight title.

Ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor touches down in Las Vegas to film The Ultimate Fighter 31

Former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has landed in Las Vegas, Nevada this week – where he is now set to begin filming of The Ultimate Fighter 31 alongside the #5 ranked lightweight contender, Michael Chandler. McGregor, the promotion’s first duel-weight champion held simultaneously, landed in ‘Sin City’ alongside his partner, Dee […]

Former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has landed in Las Vegas, Nevada this week – where he is now set to begin filming of The Ultimate Fighter 31 alongside the #5 ranked lightweight contender, Michael Chandler.

McGregor, the promotion’s first duel-weight champion held simultaneously, landed in ‘Sin City’ alongside his partner, Dee Devlin, and three children Thursday night, with filming of the reality television show set to take place in the coming weeks ahead of airing at the end of May on both ESPN the network and ESPN+.

Yet to officially book a return date to the Octagon, Crumlin native, McGregor is set to draw one-time lightweight title challenger, Chandler at the welterweight limit of 170lbs, with a potential September matchup floated by the organization.

Sharing footage of the Dubliner arriving at the UFC Apex facility ahead of filming, Conor McGregor, who coached The Ultimate Fighter 22 back in 2015 against former WEC featherweight champion, Urijah Faber, took time to shadow box in front of the season’s plaque and jerseys, which are hung on the facilities walls.

Conor McGregor is riding a two-fight losing run ahead of his UFC return

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid for the first time in his professional mixed martial arts career, Conor McGregor headlined UFC 264 back in July 2021 against common-opponent, Dustin Poirier – suffering a fractured left tibia and fibula, resulting in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss.

The defeat followed a prior rematch loss to Poirier in January of that year in Abu Dhabi, UAE – where the 34-year-old also suffered the first knockout loss of his professional mixed martial arts career.

For Chandler, the former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion also most recently featured against Lafayette puncher, Poirier, suffering a third round submission loss at UFC 281 back in November at Madison Square Garden.

Set to bring long-time head coach and Straight Blast Gym tactician, John Kavanagh into the fray for this season of The Ultimate Fighter, McGregor’s mind will go against Chandler – who has also brought in former UFC light heavyweight contender, and current Bellator MMA heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader into his camp for filming.

Conor McGregor ‘Looking forward’ to UFC return against Michael Chandler: ‘I’m throwing high kicks faster than jabs’

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has expressed his excitement ahead of his Octagon return later this year against Michael Chandler, revealing he will leave for Las Vegas, Nevada this week in order to commence filming of The Ultimate Fighter 31. McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, […]

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, is scheduled to make his promotional return against Missouri native, Chandler, later this year, having most recently competed back in July 2021.

Expected to fight at the welterweight limit, an official location or venue for the blockbuster pairing has yet to be determined by the organzation, however, a potential September landing pad has been floated.

Without a victory since a January 2020 knockout win over Donald Cerrone, Conor McGregor has suffered back-to-back losses to common-foe, Dustin Poirier – fracturing his left tibia and fibula in the latter trilogy fight.

Conor McGregor voices excitement ahead of Michael Chandler clash

And ahead of his comeback against Chandler later this year, McGregor expressed his excitement at the matchup, explaining how his kicking game has caught up speed-wise with his hands.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Conor McGregor told Mirror Fighting reporter, Donagh Corby. “I feel good. I feel energetic. I feel ready. I’m throwing up my high kicks faster than I’m throwing out my jabs. So, I’m very excited to get back. [I fly out to Las Vegas] tomorrow.”

For Chandler, the former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion has yet to book his own Octagon return since UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, himself suffering a third round rear-naked choke submission loss to former interim champion, Poirier.

Boasting a 2-1 record at the welterweight limit of 170lbs, McGregor holds a stoppage win over Cerrone at the weight class, as well as a majority decision win over two-time foe, Nate Diaz, following an initial second round rear-naked choke loss to the Stockton native back in 2016.

Dustin Poirier mocks UFC rivals Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler: ‘TUF: All My Children Edition’

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has reacted to news today regarding The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight tournament starring coaches, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler – boasting about the fact he holds numerous victories over his division rivals. Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight contender and former interim division champion, most recently featured at […]

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has reacted to news today regarding The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight tournament starring coaches, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler – boasting about the fact he holds numerous victories over his division rivals.

Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight contender and former interim division champion, most recently featured at UFC 281 back in November of last year.

Landing a main card clash with the above-mentioned, Chandler on the Madison Square Garden card, Dustin Poirier secured a victory over the Missouri native, courtesy of a third round rear-naked choke submission win.

Also thrice sharing the Octagon with the above-mentioned, McGregor, the American Top Team staple managed to land a rematch knockout win over the Dubliner in 2021, before taking a TKO win the pair’s trilogy in July of that year, after McGregor fractured his left tibia and fibula.

Dustin Poirier pokes fun at past foes, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler

Yet to find himself booked for his next Octagon outing since returning to the winner’s enclosure back in November of last year, Poirier took the time to react to today’s announcement of The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler – claiming the edition of the reality television show should actually be labelled “All My Children”.

“TUF all my children edition,” Dustin Poirier tweeted.

TUF all my children edition https://t.co/ZrGn8SHl6E

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 4, 2023

Linked with a slew of potential opponents for his next Octagon appearance, Poirier recently received a call out from former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, with the Niteroi native offering the Lafayette puncher the opportunity to fight against him in a potential welterweight division debut.

Poirier has also been linked with a fight against the victor of the upcoming March co-main event feature at UFC 286 between Justin Gaethje, and Rafael Fiziev – having previously stopped Gaethje in a UFC Fight Night Glendale back in 2018.

Michael Chandler reacts to his TUF 31 coaching role opposing Conor McGregor

It was confirmed earlier today by UFC President Dana White that former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor (22-6) and former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (23-8) have been selected to coach The Ultimate Fighter 31 opposing one another. The show is set to air on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, and is to be finalized […]

BOOOOOOM!!!!! 2023 is goin to be a fun year pic.twitter.com/30RpYmLeiy

— danawhite (@danawhite) February 4, 2023

The show is set to air on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, and is to be finalized on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, with McGregor and Chandler to face off at a to-be-determined PPV event shortly thereafter.

They will compete at either 155 lbs or 170 lbs, though that has also not yet been determined.

Immediately following White’s announcement, Chandler reacted to the news via his Twitter account:

Pumped is an understatement. #TUF31 #TUF #mcgregorvschandler pic.twitter.com/lzeyBCEZmn

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 4, 2023

“Bam, it’s finally announced. The cat is out (of) the bag. Team Chandler vs. Team McGregor coaching The Ultimate Fighter. (I’m) Heading to Vegas here very soon to film in the same vicinity, the same city, as my future opponent later on this year, Conor McGregor.

“My team versus his team, the competition starts right now ushering in these young men or women. Imparting my wisdom upon them and every single fight matters because I am going to win this competition first of all and we are going to make the dreams come true of one of these young athletes to get signed by the UFC and get a UFC contract. Can’t wait! Catch it all on ESPN this summer. God bless, I’ll see you at the top!”

Following a near three-year absence from The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC brought the show back in 2021 with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega as coaches, before bringing it back once again with UFC bantamweight champions Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes as coaches.

Neither of those seasons garnered much interest, but this one? Man this one’s going to be huge!

Who’s team wins, team Chandler, or team McGregor?

And a better question yet, who wins this fight between former champions, Michael Chandler or Conor McGregor?

If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to share it on social media!

Official – Conor McGregor set to coach ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ against UFC rival Michael Chandler

Former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor will officially return as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 with the reality television show set to begin at the end of May – with the Dubliner coaching against the #5 ranked lightweight contender, Michael Chandler, ahead of an eventual fight between the two. Earlier […]

Earlier this month, reports emerged detailing how McGregor, 34, would be returning to the Octagon as part of The Ultimate Fighter 31 in a coaching capacity, ahead of making his official UFC comeback later this year.

**Conor McGregor is slated to coach on TUF against lightweight veteran, Michael Chandler**

And as per promotional president, Dana White, Cono McGregor will now coach the return of The Ultimate Fighter, taking on Michael Chandler, a former lightweight title challenger at the culmination of the season. An official date, location, or event for McGregor’s fight Chandler has yet to be announced by the organization.

Most recently competing at UFC 264 back in July of 2021, McGregor headlined against former interim champion, Dustin Poirier, suffering a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss after he fractured his left tibia and fibula. The loss came as Conor McGregor’s second consecutively against Louisana native, Poirier, after he suffered a second round KO loss to the latter in January of that year on ‘Fight Island’.

As for Chandler, the current #5 ranked challenger has yet to book his Octagon return since featuring on the main card of UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden. Again tackling common-foe, Poirier, Chandler, a former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion suffered an eventual third round rear-naked choke submission loss.

Without a victory since a January 2020 40-second high-kick and strikes knockout win over Donald Cerrone, Conor McGregor coached The Ultimate Fighter back in 2015 following his interim featherweight title win over Chad Mendes, coaching opposite former WEC featherweight champion, Urijah Faber.