The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler is heating up after an altercation occurred between the pair during filming for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).
Last month, Dana White announced that McGregor would be making his long-awaited return to the octagon by coaching opposite Chandler on the latest season of TUF. The pair are then expected to headline a pay-per-view event before the end of the year.
Whilst initially both 'Iron' and 'The Notorious' had appeared respectful of one another, a recent altercation between the pair during filming has fueled their bad blood. Dana White alluded to the situation at UFC 285's post-fight presser earlier this month, where he stated something major had happened between them.
‘A lot of s*** went down on Friday...I don’t look at stuff that’s good for the show or things like that. Whatever happens...The stuff that just happened shouldn’t happen."
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Now, reporter Amy Kaplan has shed some light on the situation. According to their sources, a fighter on TUF was KO'd during filming, which prompted Conor McGregor to hop into the cage and shove Michael Chandler. A small brawl then broke out between the pair and their teams which resulted in somebody being slapped.
As of yet, there is no confirmation as to whether McGregor or Chandler slapped the other, but their scuffle was broken up by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
Michael Chandler promises to "bludgeon" Conor McGregor
Michael Chandler promised Conor McGregor a violent ending when the pair step into the octagon to face one another at the end of the year.
Speaking to the media at UFC 285, 'Iron' made a bold prediction by claiming he would finish the Irish MMA star in the second-round. Chandler also alluded to their issues backstage by stating that what he saw from Conor McGregor behind the scenes has only filled him with more confidence:
"I can tell you this, it's definitely not going to happen. I can tell you this, I see it going a lot... a much different way. I think I've seen enough of Conor over the last couple of week to know that I am going to not just slice through, but bludgeon him with both of these hands and do whatever I want, both standing or on the ground and finishing by the second round. That's my Mystic Mac prediction and I stand behind it."
Catch Chandler's comments here (4:30):