If Conor
McGregor is to be believed, the originally proposed coaching
matchup for “The Ultimate Fighter 31” would have renewed one of the
UFC’s great rivalries.
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During an appearance on “The MMA Hour” on
Wednesday, McGregor revealed that he was initally expected to coach
opposite Nate Diaz on
the long-running reality show. That never came to fruition, though,
and McGregor instead matched wits with Michael
Chandler on “TUF 31.” A date for McGregor vs. Chandler has not
been set.
“‘The Ultimate Fighter’ just kind of presented itself. It was
originally for me to be against Nate. It was me vs. Nate,” McGregor
said. “I did not mind who it was against, to be honest. Nor do I
mind who I compete against, that’s widely known.
“I had agreed to it, it was Nate. It was a day or two before and
now it’s Chandler. I’m not sure what went down on that end. It was
me vs. Chandler and I have no problem with it, I’m happy with it.
It’s gonna be a good bout for sure.”
Diaz completed his contract with the promotion at UFC 279, when he
submitted Tony
Ferguson with a fourth-round guillotine last September. Upon
becoming a free agent, Diaz’s manager revealed that the fighter
planned to compete multiple times in 2023. The Stockton,
Calif., native’s interests reportedly included boxing and a trilogy
with McGregor.
The Irish star wasn’t sure what type of agreement Diaz had in place
with the UFC, only that he was nearly on board for “TUF 31.”
Regardless, McGregor is confident he and Diaz will square off for a
third time at some point in the future.
“No, I’ll get that again. That trilogy will happen at some stage
for sure,” McGregor said. “He was gone, but he was still doing the
show. That’s all politics. We must fight. We’re one-apiece. It’s a
great rivalry and it was a great fight. We’ve got to square that
away for sure.
“Am I a person not to get the fights made and done and happen? Look
at all the fights I’ve had,” he continued. “When I say it, it
happens. I have a load of bouts left in me. A lot of story is
incomplete. I’m excited to continue on and get them done.”