Conor McGregor is teasing another appearance as a TUF coach and Michael Chandler wants in.
Conor McGregor has been absent from the UFC for over a year and a half. He has been healing up from an injury, working on some of his outside businesses, and filming a movie. Now it seems that he could be returning to the organization in a big way, as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter.
McGregor had the honor of coaching TUF before. He starred opposite Urijah Faber on season 22 back in 2015. Now it seems he is interested in being a part of the show again. He shared an image on his Instagram with a caption that stated that he has been offered the spot.
“This is a snap from the original Ultimate Fighter house, where I coached versus Urijah Faber. This photo was just before the show tho. It was right before I won my first world title beating Urijah teammate Chad Mendes around. I then went on to coach the famous fight show straight after the fight. With a big black eye and a gash, my tricolor, and my new and first-ever UFC gold belt, I waltzed into the notorious fight gym in Las Vegas,” he wrote. “The slickest suits and shouts the show had ever seen before, on top of the silverware. And I coached my team to victory. Crazy. Some journey. I have just been offered to coach this role again. I like it. It is full immersion which is needed. I see fighters lining up. I know whats ahead I been ready motherf–kers. #StayReady.”
Michael Chandler would like to join Conor McGregor as a TUF coach
Immediately after posting the tease about coming back to TUF, fans became very excited. They began to throw out some names that they would like to see coaching across from McGregor, the most often mentioned was Michael Chandler. Chandler has been calling for a fight with McGregor for a long time. He has mentioned on several occasions that he believes he is the next opponent for McGregor whenever he is set to return. Now Chandler has expressed his interest in this Ultimate Fighter route.
Conor coaching TUF? 👀
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 26, 2023
Chandler seems to want in on this opportunity to coach against McGregor and then face him at the end of the season. Of course, it is not always the case that the two coaches fight at the end, but it is done more often than not. Due to his prolonged absence and withdrawal from the USADA testing pool, McGregor must first reenter testing and test clean for six months. The filming of the season usually lasts a few weeks and then a fight can be made any time after airing. It should give him plenty of time to jump through the hoops necessary.
The exact timelines of the show have not been detailed at this time, but a few logistic items have been revealed. The season will apparently consist of lightweights according to J. Torres of The Scrap. If this is the case McGregor and Chandler will fit right in.
