The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler
| Company type | Reality television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts, Television |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas , United States |
Area served | United States (ESPN+) |
Key people | Conor McGregor (Head Coach), Michael Chandler (Head Coach), Dana White (UFC President) |
| Products | Mixed martial arts competition, Reality TV show |
The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler—also referred to as The Ultimate Fighter 31 or TUF 31, represented the 2023 installment of the UFC’s reality competition series The Ultimate Fighter, broadcast on ESPN+. The season’s head coaches were former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor alongside ex-three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler.
This edition showcased male fighters in the bantamweight and lightweight divisions. Filming took place in Las Vegas during February, with the premiere airing on May 30. The roster, revealed on March 4, featured a mix of eight ex-UFC competitors—including Brad Katona, the featherweight champion from The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated—and eight fresh faces.
Background
Initially, the UFC intended for former interim Lightweight champions Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier to serve as coaches for this season; however, Poirier declined the opportunity.
Coaches
Team McGregor:
- Conor McGregor, Head Coach
- John Kavanagh, Assistant Coach
- Owen Roddy, Striking/Boxing Coach
- Cian Cowley, Muay Thai Coach
- Phil Sutcliffe, Boxing Coach
Team Chandler:
- Michael Chandler, Head Coach
- Ryan Bader, Assistant Coach
- Robert Drysdale, Jiu Jitsu Coach
- Jason Strout, Striking Coach
- Greg Jones, Wrestling Coach
Fighters
- Team McGregor
- Bantamweights: Trevor Wells, Rico DiSciullo, Carlos Vera, Mando Gutierrez
- Lightweights: Nate Jennerman, Lee Hammond, Aaron McKenzie, Landon Quiñones
- Team Chandler
- Bantamweights: Brad Katona*, Hunter Azure, Cody Gibson, Timur Valiev
- Lightweights: Roosevelt Roberts, Kurt Holobaugh, Austin Hubbard, Jason Knight
* During the semi-finals, Brad Katona transitioned from Team Chandler to Team McGregor.
Episodes
Episode 1: A Notorious Return (May 30, 2023)
- At the UFC Apex, coaches Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler convene to discuss potential fights and weight divisions.
- UFC president Dana White unveils a new structure dividing fighters into veterans and prospects within bantamweight and lightweight classes.
- McGregor wins the initial coin toss and opts for lightweight prospects; Chandler selects lightweight veterans along with bantamweight veterans; consequently, McGregor receives bantamweight prospects.
- Both coaching teams assess their fighters to establish matchups.
- Chandler wins a subsequent coin toss and claims the first fight pick.
- The opening bout features Nate Jennerman (#2 lightweight) from Team McGregor against Roosevelt Roberts (#3 lightweight) of Team Chandler.
- Roosevelt Roberts secures an 8-second knockout victory.
- The bantamweight contest is announced as Trevor Wells (McGregor #2) versus Timur Valiev (Chandler #3).
Episode 2: A Hefty Price to Pay (June 6, 2023)
- Trevor Wells is declared medically unfit to compete; his fight is rescheduled.
- The bout between Mando Gutierrez (McGregor #1) and Cody Gibson (Chandler #4) is advanced.
- Conor McGregor visits the fighter house.
- Cody Gibson defeats Mando Gutierrez via TKO.
Episode 3: No Easy Path (June 13, 2023)
- Aaron McKenzie aims to halt Team McGregor’s losing streak as he faces Austin Hubbard in a quarterfinal match.
Episode 4: Heart, Soul, and Brain (June 20, 2023)
- After medical clearance for Trevor Wells to compete, discussions focus on the appropriate weight class for his fight against Timur Valiev.
- The two athletes face off in a catchweight bout.
Episode 5: Conflict of Interest (June 27, 2023)
- Conor McGregor leads an intense training session at the TUF residence.
- Michael Chandler encounters coaching difficulties concerning Brad Katona’s allegiance.
- Brad Katona battles Carlos Vera for a spot in the bantamweight semifinals.
Episode 6: Break Your Nose (July 4, 2023)
- Kurt Holobaugh prepares for his quarterfinal after previous releases from the UFC.
- Lee Hammond receives support from coach McGregor.
- A tense exchange occurs between the two coaches at the Apex facility.
Episode 7: There Are Levels to This (July 11, 2023)
- Team McGregor manages the aftermath of recent defeats alongside internal conflicts.
- Jason Knight overcomes injury challenges to face Landon Quiñones in a lightweight quarterfinal matchup.
Episode 8: Protect Ya Neck (July 18, 2023)
- With only one quarterfinal bout remaining, Team McGregor strives to prevent a complete sweep by Team Chandler.
- Dana White announces the semifinal pairings.
Episode 9: It’s Personal, Not Just Business (July 25, 2023)
- Semifinal matchups are disclosed; Conor hosts both teams with an Irish stew dinner.
- Teammates Roosevelt Roberts and Austin Hubbard compete against each other in the first semifinal fight.
Episode 10: Just Win, Baby (August 1, 2023)
- Brad Katona officially changes allegiance ahead of semifinal competition.
- Timur Valiev draws inspiration from a visit by UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
- Katona and Valiev contend for a place in the bantamweight finals.
Episode 11: Mississippi vs Louisiana (August 8, 2023)
- Coaches McGregor and Chandler face off in a notably chilly Coaches Challenge event.
- The lightweight semifinal features teammates Kurt Holobaugh and Jason Knight battling for a finals spot.
Bantamweight bracket
* Brad Katona moved from Team Chandler to Team McGregor during the semi-final stage.
Lightweight bracket
| Team McGregor |
|---|