Fans will finally get the chance to see Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler go head to head this week when the pair face off on The Ultimate Fighter.
Season 31 of TUF will see promotional veterans take on younger prospects, with bantamweights and lightweights both vying for spots. The 155lb bracket will be particularly interesting for both coaches, who have been world champion at the weight, but appear to be bulking up for their showdown at the end of the year.
It is expected that at some point during this season an official announcement will be made between the pair with a date and venue for their bout later this year. But first, they will have to square off in what will be McGregor's second appearance on the show after his 2015 debut against Urijah Faber.
Here's all you need to know about this season of The Ultimate Fighter...
When is TUF 31: McGregor vs Chandler being shown in the UK?
This season of The Ultimate Fighter will be aired on the UFC's UK home of BT Sport. The first broadcast will be two days after the initial American showing, and will take place at 10pm on BT Sport 3. Then it will be replayed at 3am on BT Sport 1. BT Sport customers can live stream the show at no extra cost via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices. In America, the show will air at 10pm Eastern Time, 7pm Pacific and 8pm Central on ESPN and ESPN+.
TUF 31: McGregor vs Chandler fighters
This season of the show will pit newcomers to the UFC against former fighters who were cut after struggling in their initial runs. There was controversy over McGregor reportedly getting rid of competitors at the eleventh hour in order to get his friends on the roster, but he has denied those claims.
McGregor does have two teammates on the show; Lee Hammond and Brad Katona, although the latter's credentials as a former TUF winner and Brave CF champion speak for themselves. And even Hammond, at the age of 27, is an amateur world champion who is currently 5-0 as a professional, including a win in the Bellator cage.
Lightweights
- Lee Hammond
- Kurt Holobaugh
- Austin Hubbard
- Nate Jennerman
- Jason Knight
- Aaron McKenzie
- Landon Quinones
- Roosevelt Roberts
Bantamweights
- Hunter Azure
- Rico DiSciullo
- Cody Gibson
- Mando Gutierrez
- Brad Katona
- Timur Valiev
- Carlos Vera
- Trevor Wells
Quotes corner:
Conor McGregor: "I'm looking forward to it. I feel good, I feel energetic, I feel ready. I'm throwing up my high kicks faster than I'm throwing out my jab. So I'm very excited to get back... Year end, I'm back in that cage having competed. I'm gearing up ready to go. Michael Chandler, yeah. It will be announced during The Ultimate Fighter. So The Ultimate Fighter is airing now in a couple of days on ESPN, and by the time that show finishes we'll have a date and everything set for the fans."
Michael Chandler: "I got eight heartbeats on my team. Eight athletes who I have the opportunity and the blessing to coach and I’m not going to take it lightly. Some who get their one last shot to make it into the UFC and some who have been looking at the bright lights from afar and now they get their opportunity. This is on ESPN the network for twelve episodes straight."