Heading into their coaching roles on The Ultimate Fighter 31 recently it seemed that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were on good terms, but according to Dana White that’s all changed now after an altercation on set.
“Chandler and Conor were very respectful to each other. And then, some things started escalating that you’ll see on the show. And yeah, they do not like each other now. A lot of sh*t went down on Friday,” White said after UFC 285.
“The stuff that happened shouldn’t have happened and… I’m getting old, boys. I’m getting old. I would’ve been in there sooner back in the old days, but… yeah. Not good.”
When asked if it had got physical, White didn’t confirm or deny it, instead repeating that, “there was a lot of sh*t that went down on Friday.”
Chandler had been interviewed earlier in the evening, and while he didn’t mention the potential scuffle, he did make it clear that things weren’t getting on as well as he thought they would.
“Conor and I have a lot of mutual respect for one another, but ultimately, I don’t know if we like each other as much as I thought we were going to. And the good thing is, we get to settle it with four-ounce gloves under a certain ruleset in a contest later on this year. And I can’t wait to do it,” Chandler said.
“What has happened thus far has been a lot of fun, and I can’t wait for you all to see it later on this year on ESPN. My guys winning and losing fights, his guys winning and losing fights. Us being emotionally invested in the wins and losses of our fighters, ultimately spilling over into our own emotional turmoil, for better or worse, and enjoying the process.
“So it’s been a lot of fun, yes. But a lot of tension.”
