Conor McGregor has been handed another setback in his journey as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 31).
Last week, the opening episode showed McGregor sounding off at rival coach and potential next opponent Michael Chandler. ‘Notorious’ is coaching two teams of MMA prospects looking to earn a UFC contract, while Chandler is in charge of eight fighters that are working to earn their way back into the promotion.
McGregor would have been hoping to bounce back after seeing one of his prospects eliminated via a quick-fire KO in the first fight of the series. This week’s episode saw McGregor’s number one-ranked bantamweight Mando Gutierrez face UFC veteran Cody Gibson.
READ: Conor McGregor fires ‘do what you’re told’ jibe as TUF prospect suffers KO loss
There was some early controversy in the show as a fight between bantamweights Trevor Wells and Timur Valliev was postponed on medical grounds due to Wells having a cold sore. That saw Gutierrez and Gibson take centre stage. However, it resulted in another stoppage defeat for Team McGregor.
A back-and-forth opening round suddenly exploded into action with a flying knee from Gibson, followed up by some hammer fists, which saw the 35-year-old earn a TKO win. Back in the locker room, cameras captured footage of McGregor attempting to console an emotional Gutierrez, who said: “Coach, I’m way better than that.”
“I know that - world champion level, we’re going to get you to it, Mando,” McGregor replied. “Take it with you. It ain’t over until we win!”
Chandler described the flying knee as “beautiful” and was delighted for Gibson, who last appeared in the UFC back in 2015. “He fought so much better than I think even he thought he was going to and when you can pull that out of an athlete, it’s something special,” Chandler admitted.
McGregor looked to have bonded with Gutierrez earlier in the episode as the 25-year-old fighter gave his coach a haircut. The Irishman was in high spirits following his fresh trim and was filmed dancing after drinking his Forged Irish stout, quipping that “every day’s a celebration”, while surrounded by the other TUF competitors.
Reflecting on Gutierrez’s loss, McGregor said: “It was a tough one but again Mando’s a great little goer and I look forward to seeing his second chance.”
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