Team McGregor VS Team Chandler – In the “Fight Capital” of the World at Las Vega’s UFC Apex Center, TUF 31 doesn’t waste a second getting underway with Conor McGregor, being greeted by his competition. The “Notorious One” struts in a fancy new suit and an attitude. It’s difficult to ignore his new appearance, thanks to cosmetic surgery. It could be the kick-off for the biggest comeback story the sport’s world has ever witnessed. The season could be headlined by an explosive fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler. Coming back from a career-ending injury, Conor wants to give back to the sport that has given him so much.

Michael Chandler gets his chance to talk about what being an Ultimate Fighter coach means to him. “Iron Mike” has built himself a persona that is every bit as flashy and cocky as Conor’s. He boasts feeding on Conor’s aura before questioning why he agreed to a comeback fight with him. Conor wants to know the “Mystic Mike prediction” for their fight at the Apex Center. Not skipping a beat, Chandler responds with a second-round KO, Conor tells him to “dream on.” After briefly discussing the weight limit for their upcoming fight, Conor suggests he will agree with the specifics just to get in the Octagon with him.

Sixteen lightweight and bantamweight hopefuls get their first look at the state-of-the-art facility where they will be training and fighting. UFC President Dana White, flanked by the season’s coaches, explains the specifics of TUF 31 before dividing the fighters into two groups – prospects and veterans. The coach assistants, clad in team colors, arrive with jerseys. Conor draws the teal blue and Chandler, the fiery red. The vets and prospects are further divided into weight classes – 135 and 155.

Eliminating qualifying matches, it is straight to the coin toss in which the winner makes a selection. Scoring the coin toss, Conor opts for the 155 prospects, leaving Chandler the 155 veterans. Chandler picks the 135 veterans, leaving Conor the 135 prospects. It is a veteran vs. prospect season.

Team McGregor 

• Bantamweight (135) Prospects – Trevor Wells, Mando Gutierrez, Carlos Vera, and Rico DiSciullo
• Lightweight (155) Prospects – Landon Quinones, Aaron McKenzie, Nate Jennerman, and Lee Hammond

Team Chandler 

• Bantamweight (155) Veterans – Cody Gibson, Timur Valiev, Hunter Azure, and Brad Katona
• Lightweight (155) Veterans – Austin Hubbard, Roosevelt Roberts, Kurt Holobaugh, and Jason Knight

The TUF House – The fighters are introduced to their posh living arrangements for the next 12 weeks. Team McGregor Mando Gutierrez describes the experience as surreal, given his humble upbringing. Team Mcgregor Carlos Vera comments on the vastness as the fighters enjoy the pool table and amply stocked refrigerator. Just as quickly, Conor’s team notices the “Proper Number 12.” One member seems overly interested in the “Irish Apple.”

Team Chandler Kurt Hologaugh comments on the tension in the house but believes he won’t have any issues. He views most of the guys as “stepping stones that he can take out in the first round. Team Mcgegor Rico DiSciullo, a bantamweight prospect, brags about having Conor as his coach.

Day Two – The evaluation phase begins with Team Chandler getting the use of the facilities first. He is geared up when the fighters arrive. Bantamweight Cody Gibson comments on how Chandler puts off positive vibes. Chandler makes rounds before introducing his assistants – Ryan Bader (TUF Season 8 winner), Robert Drysdale, and Jason Strout who he trains with. The fighters move from stretches to shadowboxing. TUF 27 featherweight winner, bantamweight Brad Katona is McGregor’s training partner in Ireland. He knows some of the fighters will question his loyalty.

Conor waits until his team is settled in before he makes his flashy entrance. He quickly gives them a rundown of what to expect from today’s session. Lightweight Landon Quinones appreciates how Conor threw them to the wolves. He admits it took a few days to get over the shock of it all. Carlos Vera explains what it is like to share the floor with McGregor. Trevor Wells contributes his “fight feel” to his intense sparring match with someone he knows nothing about. While introducing his coaches, Conor says Head Coach John, Boxing Coach Phil, and Roddy have trained him and guided his career.

Fight Announcements – With the evaluations out of the way, the fighters gather in front of “the octagon” for fight announcements and face-offs.

White runs through the seating system and the fight decisions. Unaware of the McGregor Team rankings, Chandler wins the coin toss to claim the first fight. He figures his team has the advantage as it’s comprised of grizzled veterans.

Quarterfinal Fights

• Chandler – Roosevelt Roberts (3) VS Nate Jennerman (2) (155 weight class)
• Conor – Trevor Wells (2) VS Timur Valiev (3) (135 weight class)
• Chandler – Austin Hubbard (2) VS Aaron McKenzie (3) (155 weight class)
• Conor – Mando Gutierrez (1) VS Cody Gibson (4) (135 weight class)
• Chandler – Brad Katona (2) VS Carlos Vera (3) (135 weight class)
• Conor – Lee Hammond (1) VS Kurt Hollibaugh (135 weight class)
• Chandler – Jason Knight (1) VS Landon Quinones (4) (155 weight class)
• Conor – Rico DiSciullo (4) VS Hunter Azure (1) (135 weight class)

TUF House – Nate Jennerman (16-5 record) is brimming proudly over a photo when his teammate, Aaron McKenzie inquires about his family. UPS pre-loader, Nate identifies each member of his family. The family dog, with only three legs, gets in the spotlight. A gym owner, Nate trains children and adults in kickboxing and jujitsu. He traveled to RUVA Sport in Milwaukee to put down roots as an angry teenager of an alcoholic father. He was 20 when he premiered as a professional MMA fighter. Plaguing injuries forced him to step away from the sport for three years. Stepping into the 155 division reinvented his career. His 3 and 0 record speaks volumes of his new focus. He claims to fight for his family which is a major motivator.

Roosevelt Roberts and Cody Gibson get to know each other. Cody jokes about his writing which Roosevelt describes as a cathartic release. He explains how getting cut from the UFC encouraged him to jot down his thoughts and feelings.

As a veteran, Roosevelt has a lot of knowledge to share, but above all, he’s learned not to deflect blame. He consequently contributes his earlier UFC release to his lack of focus and not taking the sport seriously. His UFC career ended with a brutal knockout. He admits to being impacted mostly by how people viewed him after his last two defeats. He suggests hitting rock bottom isn’t the worst thing as it can be a huge step toward humility.

Roosevelt Robert Fight Prep – Team Chandler gets first dibs on the state-of-the-art facility for Robert’s fight prep. While observing Robert spar, Chandler claims to have picked him for the first fight because of his impressive physical strength. He admires Roosevelt’s work ethic, putting 110% in every time. Knowing Jennerman is an aggressive fighter, Chandler has poked holes in his fighting style. With his previous win by guillotine choke, he suggests bombarding him with lighting-fast shots before he can take in his surroundings. Chandler predicts what should be an easy and decisive win for his veteran.

Nate Jennerman Fight Prep – The “Notorious One” joins Jennerman in the cage for a pep talk. He advises against rushing in and suggests focusing on Roosevelt’s abilities. The team is especially concerned about Roosevelt’s height and reach advantage. They expect him to hit Jennerman with a lot of leg kicks. Conor feels it will be essential for Nate to avoid keeping his head centered. Constant head movement should allow him the chance to slip Robert’s jab/cross combination.

TUF House –Roosevelt and bantamweight teammate, Kurt Hollibaugh chat as meat sears on the grill. They discuss being on Chandler’s team. Roosevelt tells him about his plan to return to Miami after the filming is wrapped up. In a video, Roosevelt introduces his training partners at the Adrenaline Gym at Carson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He describes himself as a freestyle fighter. He claims his classmates teased him about his slender frame. An abusive father didn’t help. When he reached his early teen years, he spent the majority of his time in the streets. He admits his worse fear is his children viewing him the way he viewed his abusive father.

Roosevelt’s oldest girl is Amira, leaving Ashton to be his youngest son. It’s important to learn that there is always a way back up to the top, regardless of how hard it is to find.

Lightweight Weigh-In –Jeff Mullen, Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, does the normal introductions. Roosevelt Roberts steps up to the scale as his teammates cheer him on. Chandler complains about Conor’s absence at the first weigh-in. Weighing in at 156, Roosevelt is ecstatic there will be no need to cut weight. Nate weighs in at 155-1/2 pounds. Stepping up for an intense stare-down, the stark difference in height becomes more apparent.

Fight Day – Roosevelt essentially talks about how he’s already lost everything and can’t lose anymore. He can only go up from here. While getting his hands wrapped, Nate makes an appearance. Nate points out, the major difference between him and his opponent is Roosevelt’s previous fight at the Center.

After “Tale of the Tape,” the fight is on. Roosevelt goes in for the attack, overwhelming his opponent. A hard right sends Nate peddling. Roosevelt follows up with a short punch that hits the perfect spot. The referee quickly jumps in to stop the fight. While Roosevelt celebrates his win, Nate complains about the stoppage. Dana is stunned and Conor is disheartened.

Team Chandler celebrates Roosevelt taking the win. While his hands are being unwrapped, he boasts how comfortable he felt in the cage. Nate, on the other hand, is devastated by the loss. He feels like he not only let down his team but more importantly, his family. His coaches, teammates, and even Conor do a great job of rallying around him.

White announces the TUF season 31, episode 2 fight. It will be McGregor’s number two, Trevor Wells taking on Chandler’s number 3 Timur Valiev in the bantamweight division.

 

TUF 31 Episode 1 Review

Not a bad way to kick off the long-awaited TUF 31 season. It was certainly great to see the season kick off with a fight that was not left in the hands of the judges, although it could have been easily declared an early stoppage. Either way, the referee’s decision is final, and “Nasty” Nate didn’t protest too vehemently.

For me, it felt like the biggest letdown was the taming of both Chandler and McGregor’s personas. It’s always good for the sport to see that its global icons can conduct themselves professionally, but it is their swagger, cocky attitudes, and controversial ways that most tune in for. They’ll surely come out as the completion heats up, that much was shown through the season recap trailer.

The premiere deserves a 5.5. Get more TUF 31 recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness.

Where Is TUF Filmed? 

TUF season 31 was filmed in “Fight Capital of the World,” Las Vegas, Nevada, at the UFC Apex Center and the TUF house.

Where To Watch TUF 31

No fan can miss a second of TUF 31 and they won’t have to with ESPN +. At $99 a year and access to all previous seasons of TUF, this is a steal of a deal. Anyone interested in testing the service for a limited time can merely drop a little over $10 for a month’s worth of streaming. There are free trials available through fubo TV.