Morning Report: Dana White scorches production team for ‘completely f****** irresponsible’ TUF 31 coaches challenge

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.”

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.”

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’

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.

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what’s next for Nate Diaz after Jake Paul fight.

Damn.

Oh.

Respect.

Fight week.

Defense.

Questions.

Champ.

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

Truly nothing like a White rage-rant.

Happy hump day, gang. Thanks for reading.

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