Conor McGregor is in danger of being shut down.
Chandler’s team is now 4-0 this season Ultimate Warrior 31 After coach Michael Chandler, Timur Valiev (18-3, 1 NC) won by unanimous decision over McGregor’s team Trevor Wells (8-3). The less experienced Wells gave Valiev a run for his money in the first round before Valiev dominated the second round by wrestling him to victory.
Valiev and Wells were supposed to fight earlier in the season, but a cold sore on Wells’ face caused the match to be postponed. Given the scheduling hiccups, there was some disagreement as to whether the bout should be changed to a welterweight affair with Chandler insisting that they ask the fighters to chop less, and McGregor’s side going to the older Valve to have to chop more. In the end, both sides settled on a catchweight of 142 pounds.
This little drama aside, the match proved to be more competitive than one might expect given the gap in experience and previous level of competition between the two opponents this week. Wells showed good defense in strikes and fighting in the first round, hitting Valiev with hard punches and rocking the Dagestani fighter when Valiev got his back. But Valev also found success with eye-catching exchanges as his right hand continued to find its mark on Wells’ chin.
The second round was all by Valiev as he scored a perfectly timed goal early in the frame and went on to work inside Wells’ half guard for the remainder of the fight. Wells prevented Valiev from advancing, but had to defend ground and heavy pounds before a last-minute reversal that proved too little, too late.
All four of Chandler’s UFC veterans who have competed so far have put their hands up: Lightweights Roosevelt Roberts and Austin Hubbard, and bantamweights Valiev and Cody Gibson.
In next week’s episode, Chandler’s Brad Katona (12-2) — McGregor’s longtime training partner — will take on McGregor’s team Carlos Vera (11-3) in a heavyweight bout.
Ultimate Warrior 31 Live every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
After the season finale, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are expected to face off in a welterweight bout at a date yet to be determined. However, the feud has not yet been made official, and the recent sexual assault accusations against McGregor have left his future competitive status unclear.
Finalists from TUF31 The lightweight and lightweight championships will also be vying for the UFC’s six-figure contract on the show’s live finale. No date has been announced for this event yet.
Here it is TUF31 The list is divided by team:
Team McGregor (Horizons)
Lightweight
-
Lee Hammond (27, 5-0)
-
Nate Jennerman (29, 16-5)
- Aaron McKenzie (34, 11-2-1)
-
Landon Quinones (27, 7-1-1)
Bantam weight
-
Mando Gutierrez (26, 8-2)
- Trevor Wells (27, 8-3)
- Carlos Vera (35, 11-3)
- Rico DiCiolo (36, 11-2, 1 NC)
Team Chandler (Veterans)
Lightweight
-
Jason Knight (30, 23-7)
- Austin Hubbard (31, 15-6)
- Roosevelt Roberts (28, 12-3, 1 NC)
-
Kurt Holubow (36, 19-7, 1 NC)
Bantam weight
-
Hunter Azure (31, 10-3)
- Brad Soldier (31, 12-2)
- Timur Valiev (33, 18-3, 1 NC)
- Cody Gibson (35, 19-8)
Here are the quarter-final results so far:
- Roosevelt Roberts defeated. Nate Jennerman via first round KO
- Cody Gibson defeated. Mando Gutierrez via first-round TKO
- Austin Hubbard Dave. Aaron McKenzie by unanimous decision
- Timur Valeev defeated. Trevor Wells via unanimous decision
Here are the remaining quarter-final matches:
- Brad Katona vs. Carlos Vera
- Lee Hammond vs. Kurt Holubow
- Jason Knight vs. Landon Quinones
- Hunter Azure vs. Rico DiCiolo
Advancement to the semi-finals: Roberts, Gibson, Hubbard, Valve
Excluded: Jennerman, Gutierrez, Mackenzie, Wales