Conor McGregor fires back at UFC star after being accused of ‘removing’ TUF 31 contestants for his team-mates
CONOR MCGREGOR has denied claims he axed three fighters to make way for his pals on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.
The Notorious touched down in Las Vegas this week to begin filming the latest season of the long-running reality TV show with rival coach Michael Chandler.
UFCConor McGregor touched down in Las Vegas this week to begin filming TUF 31[/caption]
GETTYThe Notorious has faced claims he’s tried to crowbar his pals onto the show[/caption]
TWITTERThe Irishman has vehemently denied the allegations[/caption]
The identities of some of the fighters competing in the show started to emerge on Friday, as did claims McGregor attempted to flex his muscles to get certain fighters on the show.
MMA manager Daniel Rubenstein tweeted: “Ken Cross, Mitch Ramirez and Brandon Jenkins all got pulled off to make room for 3 of Conor’s guy[s] to be on the show.”
Middleweight contender Chris Curtis then chimed in, tweeting: “Most definitely true. What a f***ing a*****e.”
Curtis’ tweet sparked a fierce denial from McGregor, who said: “@Actionman513 not true.
“I only know 1 guy on this show and he put himself forward for it.
“And he is now, after today, set to fight the No. 1 seed! I didn’t ask nor request nothing!
“And I certainly didn’t have people removed. I’m just tryna get back in the mix myself so f**k off.”
TUF 31 will be filmed in Sin City for the next eight weeks, with the show airing on May 30.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Coaches McGregor and Chandler, 34 and 36 respectively, will then throw down later this year.
A date for the fight hasn’t been set as McGregor has yet to re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s drug testing pool – which he must be in for at least six months before competing.
At this moment in time, September is the earliest the showdown will take place.
Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The Irishman said of his return: “I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m looking forward to it. I feel good. I feel energetic. I feel ready.
“You know, I’m throwing up my high kicks faster than I’m throwing out my jab.
“So I’m very excited to get back.”
