Michael Chandler vows to 'bludgeon' Conor McGregor after duo clash during 'TUF 31' filming

Michael Chandler says he is going to “bludgeon with both these hands” Conor McGregor when the two fight later this year, with UFC president Dana White suggesting tensions between the pair have risen during filming The Ultimate Fighter.

McGregor and Chandler, who have long complimented each other in public, have been pitted against one another as coaches in Season 31 of the television show, before they meet in the octagon after the summer.

The bout, yet to be given a date or location, will mark McGregor’s return to competition following a leg break in his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

The former two-division champion, 1-3 in his past four UFC appearances, said last week that he is going to “slice through” Chandler when they face-off in the octagon.

However, speaking to reporters on Sunday on the sidelines of UFC 285, Chandler said: “That’s exactly who we want – the biggest combat sports star and icon that we have ever seen thinking he’s going to come back and slice through somebody.

“That’s exactly what we want. That gains intrigue. It builds the momentum; it builds the mystique of who he is and us putting butts in seats. That’s exactly what we want. I can tell you this: It’s definitely not going to happen. I can tell you this: I see it going a much different way.

“I’ve seen enough of Conor over the last couple weeks to know that I am going to not just slice through him but bludgeon him with both of these hands and do whatever I want, both standing or on the ground, and finish him by the second round. That’s my ‘Mystic Mike’, my prediction, and I stand behind it.”

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