Exciting news has emerged about the upcoming TUF season featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, with a leaked list of potential fighters causing a stir on social media. Alongside the unique format of veteran and prospect matchups, the season will showcase talented lightweights and bantamweights. However, what has particularly caught fans’ attention are the possible fighters who have previously faced off against Sean O’Malley and Conor McGregor’s friend-turned-foe, Artem Lobov. The leaked details, shared by MMA Orbit on Twitter and credited to a Latin American MMA page, have caused a buzz of anticipation among fight fans eagerly awaiting the start of the hit show.
This news comes at a time when the fighters and coaches involved have reportedly started shooting for the season in Vegas. The UFC plans to air the show from June through August.
TUF 31 to have 10 bantamweights and 10 lightweights
As per the details on the tweet, both weight classes will have eight fighters with two substitutes. Among the lightweights, MMA fans will surely be familiar with Jason Knight. The 30-year-old had two memorable fights in bare knuckle with Artem Lobov, who interestingly was also a part of McGregor‘s team back in TUF 22. Unfortunately, the duo also had an ugly spat recently, making the upcoming interaction between Knight and McGregor more interesting.
🚨| According to @ClubDeLasMMA, these are the contestants for #TUF31.#TUF #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/umuL2vGln6
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 17, 2023
Kris Moutinho is another fighter that will be trying to make a comeback into the UFC. The Bantamweight had last made headlines after his lopsided performance against Sean O’Malley, which saw him get picked apart for the entirety of the fight. For the 30-year-old, this might just be the perfect opportunity to capitalize on his name and earn a contract yet again.
Three fighters reportedly pulled out of the original list
Fresh updates also suggested that three fighters from the original lineup were pulled out. This was apparently done to make room for Conor McGregor‘s guys, as mentioned by a tweet from MMA Orbit.
🚨| @dannyrube has revealed that some #TUF31 contestants were pulled from the lineup to make way for some of ‘Conor’s guys’.👀
❌Kenneth Cross
❌Mitch Ramirez
❌Brandon Jenkins#TUF #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/RziFAAkhJa— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 17, 2023
Although there is no confirmation on which fighters are being brought in, Kenneth Cross, Mitch Ramirez, and Brandon Jenkins are supposedly out of the season. Reactions by fans on this news suggested that it was quite expected since the Irishman also wanted to look out for his fighters as well.
Ultimately, there is yet to be any official confirmation regarding this from the promotion. And since shooting for the season has already begun, fans can expect the list of fighters to be revealed in the near future.
With the involvement of McGregor and Chandler, TUF 31 is expected to be a blockbuster while also serving as a warm-up for probably the biggest-ever comeback of ‘The Notorious’.
How excited are you about the season? Let us know in the comment section.
