Morning Report: Dana White scorches production team for ‘completely f****** irresponsible’ TUF 31 coaches challenge
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dana White couldn’t have been any more upset with TUF 31’s coaches challenge.
Pitting the current season of TUF’s coaches against each other in a pre-emptive sports battle quickly became a longstanding tradition in the series. On TUF 31, lightweight stars Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler have been the center of focus as the finals rapidly approach.
Episode 11 aired last night and featured the first of an expected two overall battles between McGregor and Chandler. The pair were tasked with a game of wit, answering trivia questions with a twist of sitting in an ice bath. The challenge consisted of three question rounds, testing each’s knowledge of the history of the UFC, TUF, and themselves, resulting in a 16-14 score victory for McGregor. Usually a highlight of the season, the UFC boss despised this idea.
“I’m gonna tell you this. It was a huge, huge f****** … clusterf*** by the production team that shot this thing,” White told The Mac Life. “Completely f****** irresponsible, completely a s*** show, and both of them could have been hurt during this.
“It was a f****** — ridiculous what happened during the coaches challenge.”
Taking a cold plunge for the Coaches’ Challenge
McGregor and Chandler squared off in trivia on #TUF31! pic.twitter.com/lFPZrAPkJg
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) August 9, 2023
Injuries during the coaches challenge are nothing new, unfortunately. Just recently, T.J. Dillashaw revealed when speaking on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s podcast that he hurt his shoulder against Cody Garbrandt on TUF 25 when they battled it out in a game of pool tetherball. Going back farther to TUF 14, everyone will remember Michael Bisping’s celebratory stumble when leaping off the air hockey table against Jason “Mayhem” Miller. “The Count” luckily got up unscathed though.
McGregor and Chandler still don’t have a date for their anticipated clash. “The Notorious” has yet to re-enter the USADA testing pool, which requires six months of testing before eligible to compete, barring any exemptions. Despite all that, White insists that the matchup is still the one the promotion will make happen.
While McGregor’s coaches challenge win was one of his few for the team during their 1-7 season, it wasn’t at all worth the risk, according to White.
“I did 37 degrees (Fahrenheit) in New York for seven minutes,” White said. “We did two days at six minutes, we did the last day at seven minutes. These guys did this thing for almost 30 minutes. Dangerous, stupid, irresponsible, and just completely f****** ridiculous on the part of the production crew that handled the coaches challenge.
“I was literally f****** pissed off about — disgusting. Won’t happen again.”
TOP STORIES
Recap. DWCS Season 7, Week 1 results: 5 contracts awarded, Tom Nolan shines with knockout
Plan. Dana White: Conor McGregor’s next fight is Michael Chandler – not Justin Gaethje
Doubtful. Logan Paul returns to boxing to face Dillon Danis as part of KSI vs. Tommy Fury card in October
Odds. Nate Diaz opens as overwhelming favorite to beat Jake Paul in potential MMA rematch
TUF. The Ultimate Fighter 31: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Episode 11 results
Recovery. Patricio Pitbull undergoes surgery for herniated discs, out until 2024
Rise. Cesar Almeida credits win over Alex Pereira for DWCS shot, celebrates ‘kickboxing wave’ in UFC
Disappointment. Kayla Harrison was convinced Cris Cyborg fight would happen but now she’s ‘come to terms’ she may not compete in 2023
Challenges. Gilbert Melendez promises Nate Diaz ‘destroys’ Jake Paul in MMA: ‘It’s a different animal’
VIDEO STEW
TUF Hang: TUF 31 – Episode 11.
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Bryce Hall.
A chat with Luke Rockhold.
Contender Series S7E1 Preview.
Heavies.
Super RIZIN 2 Special Ring Side.
PFL Road to Championship Ep. 11.
Doumbe.
War Room: dos Anjos vs. Luque.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what’s next for Nate Diaz after Jake Paul fight.
MORNING MUSIC
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Damn.
Wait for it ⏱️ [RageArena/IG] pic.twitter.com/Soc0rfnifr
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 8, 2023
Oh.
E aí galera, o que vcs acham dessa revanche?
What do you guys think of this rematch? @rampage4real pic.twitter.com/8Mm5xSg220
— Shogun Rua (@ShogunRua) August 8, 2023
Respect.
I think my coach FRANCISCO GRASSO deserves more respect. 1 world title Alexa grasso, a women’s bantamweight title fight Irene Aldana two impressive debuts, two resounding victories Diego Lopes and Alessandro Costa 100% camp in Mexico. crazy not indicated as the coach of the year.
— Diego Lopes (@Diegolopesmma) August 8, 2023
Fight week.
looks to make a statement in Sioux Falls!
Don’t miss the return of @pantera_57_ FRIDAY.#Bellator298 | @MonsterEnergy Prelims LIVE on YouTube | Fri, August 11th pic.twitter.com/J56qmzfeqq
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) August 8, 2023
Defense.
In today’s episode of friendly and not so friendly dm’s.. we have Jack, he is mad at me for liking a photo, but I don’t even know who’s photo i liked, however, i had to say something… now its our girl Jack pic.twitter.com/akY3wGE0cb
— Uroš Medić (@urketaraketa) August 8, 2023
Questions.
You spelled USADA wrong @TheNotoriousMMA …when are you going to exclusively give a sample so we can finish what we started? #BeHereToTakePart https://t.co/11714q1ooi
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 8, 2023
Champ.
Last 2 days here in Japan then I can go home and celebrate with my family it’s been fun and I appreciate all the fans looking forward to the last days.
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) August 9, 2023
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Israel Adesanya (24-2) vs. Sean Strickland (27-5); UFC 293, Sept. 10
Viviane Araujo (11-5) vs. Jennifer Maia (21-9-1); UFC 293, Sept. 10
Emi Fujino (27-14, 1 NC) vs. Momoka Hoshuyama (4-4-1); Shooto 2023 Vol. 6, Sept. 24
FINAL THOUGHTS
Truly nothing like a White rage-rant.
Happy hump day, gang. Thanks for reading.
EXIT POLL
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