Inside sources have confirmed Conor McGregor is set to coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (via SevereMMA); marking his second stint after the reality series’ 22nd iteration which featured the likes of teammate-turned-foe Artem Lobov, Billy Quarantillo, Ryan Hall, Julian Erosa, as well as former ONE featherweight world champion Thanh Le.
The revelation comes to light just days after the former two-division champion stated an offer had indeed been extended with an Instagram post, providing further insight regarding when we can expect his return to the Octagon.
“This is a snap from the original Ultimate Fighter house. Where I coached vs Urijah Faber. This photo was just before the show [though]. It was right before I won my first world title beating Urijah’s team mate Chad Mendes around,” Conor McGregor captioned the post.
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“I then went on to coach the famous fight show straight after the fight. With a big black eye and a gash, my tri-colour, and my new and first ever UFC gold belt, I waltzed into the notorious fight gym in Las Vegas.
McGregor added: “The slickest suits and shouts the show had ever seen before. On top of the silverware. And I coached my team to victory. Crazy. Some journey. I have just been offered to coach this role again. I like it. It is full immersion which is needed. I see fighters lining up. I know what’s ahead I been ready motherfuckers. #StayReady.”
So who will stand opposite the Notorious?
Shortly after Conor McGregor spilled the beans about the aforementioned offer to coach The Ultimate Fighter season 31, former interim UFC lightweight champion and aging division boogeyman, Tony Ferguson, revealed he too had been asked to participate – either “against ole Fathead (McGregor)” or anyone of his choosing in the event “that cake-eatin’ son of a bitch” doesn’t show.
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“I’m always ready, anytime anywhere,” wrote Tony Ferguson, also with his own Instagram post.
“I choose you McKnacker… See you soon, champ.”
An Ultimate Fighter season steered by massive pay-per-view draws of both Tony Ferguson (25-8) and Conor McGregor’s (22-6) calibre leading into a numbered event would be epic, to say the least. It’d also serve as the perfect scenario for both men, particularly the latter.
After close to two years away from competition due to the nasty leg breakage he sustained during his bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, as well as his numerous lucrative business ventures + Hollywood debut opposite Jake Gyllenhaal that’d surely keep him busy, this could very well be the tune-up fight Conor McGregor needs a la Donald Cerrone, before eventually facing an opponent who’s still in their prime.
As for Tony Ferguson, this could very well be the monster payday he deserves before entering his long-overdue retirement period. Because even the most diehard fans can’t bear to watch El Cucuy take any more punishment.
If nothing else, it’d certainly be bloody entertaining, as per the McGregor guarantee. But only time will tell how this one actually shapes up.
