UFC boss Dana White has admitted to giving Conor McGregor special treatment ahead of his comeback fight.
McGregor is currently filming season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter alongside UFC rival Michael Chandler in Las Vegas before they face each other in the octagon later this year. Reports circulated that several contestants on The Ultimate Fighter were dropped from the reality show after being guaranteed a spot in order to make space for some of McGregor's recruits.
White denied to having any knowledge of the claims but went on to admit that McGregor will be granted some of his requests because of his star power in the promotion. "I have no idea, who gives a s**t? These stories that come out of these things, we're working on all of this stuff," White said.
"You're trying to get guys to commit to coach, especially when you live in Ireland. Yeah, Conor's going to get some things that he wants. Nobody lost an opportunity here. If there were guys that were booked to do that, we'll do something with them. We'll figure it out and we'll take care of these guys."
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MMA manager Daniel Rubenstein claimed fighters Ken Cross, Mitch Ramirez and Brandon Jenkins were all pulled from The Ultimate Fighter season 31 "to make room" for three of McGregor's teammates to be on the show. McGregor denied having any fighters removed from the show when he tweeted to fellow UFC fighter Chris Curtis, who called the rumour "definitely true".
"Not true. I only know one guy on this show and he put himself forward for it," McGregor wrote. "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*** off."
Unbeaten lightweight fighter Lee Hammond, 26, is the only teammate of McGregor's who is competing on the season. Hammond turned professional in late 2021 after an extensive amateur career in which he competed for European IMMAF titles. The 26-year-old has five professional wins under his belt and has been a longtime training partner of McGregor.
McGregor explained why he decided to coach on The Ultimate Fighter before facing Chandler as he told The Mac Life: "To be fully immersed in the game and to be around these young hungry fighters that are coming up. Put myself right in the mix and get back in the horse, that was my motivation and reasoning for doing it."
