Michael Chandler found himself embroiled in a rapidly escalating feud with Conor McGregor.
During the sixth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 31, tensions flared between the UFC stars, who were coaching rival teams on the reality show. After another loss for his team, bringing their record to 0-6, McGregor confronted Chandler face-to-face and forcefully shoved the former Bellator star.
Here is the footage of their faceoff:
Reflecting on the latest episode during his reaction show, Chandler confirmed that the brief interaction was just as intense as it appeared, and there was a genuine possibility that he and McGregor would come to blows.
“No matter what, a fight was about to break out,” Chandler revealed. “As you saw, Ryan Bader was there, intervening by pushing Conor’s guy away. So, we had the two biggest guys from our teams getting physical. Conor and I were face-to-face, and within seconds, Dana [White] was there, Conor’s security guard was there. I could sense a moment where he was taking off his jacket, and I thought, ‘Are we going to throw down right here?'”
Chandler emphasized that McGregor was genuinely furious. He explained, “You have to remember, it wasn’t just between him and me; it involved Lee Hammond as well. Conor had such high expectations for his protégé to win the fight… and it all happened so suddenly. He went from shaking hands with Kurt Holobaugh to immediately belittling us by saying, ‘These guys were in the UFC before you.’ Then I responded with, ‘As long as you show up.’ And that’s when it escalated.”
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Conor McGregor taunts Michael Chandler after TUF 31 scuffle airs: “Are we going to fight right now?”
After the season concluded, a future matchup between McGregor and Chandler is anticipated. However, McGregor’s eligibility to compete in 2023 is in question as he must return to the USADA drug testing program. Additionally, the former two-division champion is facing allegations of sexual assault, which reportedly occurred during an NBA Finals game in June.
For now, Chandler finds McGregor’s TUF 31 antics more amusing than anything else.
“That’s when we got in each other’s faces,” Chandler chuckled. “What did he say? ‘Some of these guys were in the UFC before you.’ Well, obviously, I don’t care. I could have been in the UFC three years ago. As long as you show up, I can’t wait to rearrange your face. That’s essentially what I told him, and he responded with, ‘I’ll break your nose, you little Bellator tick.'”
Chandler’s team, consisting of former UFC fighters, has been dominating the competition so far. In the latest episode, Kurt Holobaugh, the oldest fighter on the show vying for his third UFC contract, defeated McGregor’s protege, Lee Hammond.
With the possibility of achieving the first-ever sweep in TUF history, Chandler dismisses McGregor’s trash talk with a smile.
“I couldn’t help but laugh at him,” Chandler admitted. “That’s when I thought, ‘We’ll keep piling them up.’ Call me a Bellator coach, criticize Bellator all you want, but we’ll just keep stacking wins. Team Chandler will continue to rise.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Conor McGregor feud
What happened between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter 31?
During The Ultimate Fighter 31, Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor, who were serving as opposing coaches, had a heated confrontation. After McGregor’s team suffered another loss, McGregor shoved Chandler in the face, escalating the tension between them.
Was there a possibility of a physical fight between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor?
Yes, according to Michael Chandler, there was a legitimate possibility that he and Conor McGregor would have started fighting during their confrontation on The Ultimate Fighter 31. Both fighters were visibly agitated, and even their respective team members had to intervene to prevent a physical altercation.
Will there be a future matchup between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor?
A future matchup between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor is anticipated following the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter 31. However, McGregor’s eligibility to compete in 2023 is uncertain due to his required return to the USADA drug testing program and ongoing sexual assault allegations.
How did Michael Chandler react to Conor McGregor’s trash talk?
Michael Chandler expressed amusement at Conor McGregor’s trash talk during The Ultimate Fighter 31. Despite McGregor’s belittling remarks about being a Bellator fighter, Chandler remained unfazed and focused on his team’s success. He shrugged off the taunts, emphasizing that Team Chandler would continue to excel.
Did Michael Chandler provide any insights into Conor McGregor’s behavior during the confrontation?
According to Michael Chandler, Conor McGregor was visibly furious during their confrontation on The Ultimate Fighter 31. McGregor’s anger stemmed not only from his exchange with Chandler but also from his disappointment in his protege, Lee Hammond, who lost the fight. The escalation happened swiftly, with McGregor quickly shifting from pleasantries to confrontation.
More about Conor McGregor feud
- The Ultimate Fighter
- Michael Chandler
- Conor McGregor
- USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency)
4 comments
Chandler spillin’ the tea on the McGregor showdown! Tension was high, and a fight almost broke out! Gotta love the drama on The Ultimate Fighter! Can’t wait for their future clash!
OMG, McGregor bein’ all furious and stuff, and Chandler ready to throw down! TUF 31 is lit! Gonna be a crazy matchup between these two! Team Chandler gonna stack ’em up, no doubt!
McGregor always bringin’ the heat! Him and Chandler goin’ at it on TUF 31, that’s pure entertainment! McGregor’s trash talk don’t faze Chandler one bit. Team Chandler gonna keep winnin’!
man, this Chandler-McGregor beef got heated! The Ultimate Fighter 31 was cray! Conor just shovin’ Chandler’s face like that, whoa! Can’t wait for the fight, gonna be epic!