Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler named as TUF coaches, to clash later in the year

Former two-division champion Conor McGregor and ex-Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will coach the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter before they clash later in the year at a yet-to-be-announced date and venue.

McGregor, the 34-year-old Irish mixed martial arts superstar with a mixed martial arts record of 22-6, last saw action in July 2021 when he suffered a technical knockout loss against Dustin Poirier after he injured his leg during the fight. He has gone 1-3 in his last four outings.

Chandler, meanwhile, has racked up a record of 2-3 inside the octagon since joining the UFC. Never in a boring fight, Chandler was last seen inside the cage in a Fight of the Year candidate against Dustin Poirier where he lost by submission in round three.

“We just confirmed the coaches for season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will go head to head of The Ultimate Fighter,” UFC President Dana White announced.

“Team McGregor versus Team Chandler. This season premieres Tuesday, May 30th, and runs through Tuesday, August 15. At the end of the season, McGregor and Chandler will fight live on ESPN+ pay-per-view. I do not have a date and location for that but I will announce it soon.”

The Ultimate Fighter is a reality TV series where aspiring mixed martial artists compete for a shot at a UFC contract. The participants and are divided into two groups, and the last remaining fighter from each team will duke it out inside the cage by the end of the season.

Just like the contestants, The Ultimate Fighter also pits its coaches against each other towards the end of the show.

—JM Siasat/JMB, GMA Integrated News