MMA News Roundup: Conor McGregor to face Michael Chandler on TUF, Paddy Pimblett seeks advice from UFC Hall of Famer, Islam Makhachev eyes move to welterweight

Welcome to today's (February 4) edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.

In today's issue, we talk about the breaking news that Conor McGregor is set to face Michael Chandler after coaching TUF. We will also note Paddy Pimblett asking for Georges St-Pierre's advice and Islam Makhachev's interest in moving up to welterweight.

#3. UFC announces Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler as coaches on upcoming TUF season

Earlier today, Dana White dropped a bombshell on the MMA community when he announced that Conor McGregor was making his long-awaited return to the octagon.

The UFC president confirmed that 'The Notorious' would once again be a coach on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). He would be coaching against fellow lightweight star Michael Chandler.

In the announcement video, White also shared that the season would run between May and August. McGregor and Chandler are expected to headline a card in September 2023.

"We just confirmed the coaches for season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will go head-to-head as coaches on TUF. Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler...At the end of the season, McGregor and Chandler will fight live on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View."

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

🇮🇪 @TheNotoriousMMA is BACK.

💢 Team McGregor vs. Team @MikeChandlerMMA on TUF starting May 30!

👊 Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler OFFICIAL live on PPV! https://t.co/ebbsoxGODq

The bout marks the most lucrative fight of Michael Chandler's MMA career. It is also a confirmation that McGregor has fully healed from his freak leg break injury at the hands of Dustin Poirier in 2021.

'Iron' famously demanded a fight with McGregor back at UFC 274. His meteoric rise in the organization since means his fight with the UFC's biggest star has every possibility of shattering PPV records.

#2. Paddy Pimblett seeks advice from Georges St-Pierre following his controversial victory at UFC 282

Earlier this week, Paddy Pimblett welcomed Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre onto the Chattin' Pony podcast. During the show, the Liverpudlian asked 'GSP' for advice on how to deal with fan criticism.

'The Baddy' was specifically referring to his controversial unanimous decision victory over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. The British MMA star had promised to deliver fans a highlight reel knockout but instead looked labored and second-best throughout his fight with 'Flash'.

Despite fighting a shadow of what he'd promised, MMA fans around the world were shocked when he was given the nod on all three judges' scorecards. Many felt that not only did Gordon win at least a round, but that the American had done more than enough to secure the victory.

Jared Gordon vs. Paddy Pimblett (2022)

📸 @carm_photo https://t.co/LJcYLm1rS9

Following his win, Pimblett has been at the brunt of fan criticism. Many believe his fight with Gordon had burst the bubble on his rise within the UFC.

During the podcast, the former welterweight champ referenced his own contentious win over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167. He reassured Paddy Pimblett that every fighter experiences a dubious victory:

“All the great fighters had fights that people would say they’ve lost. When I fought [Johny] Hendricks, some people thought Hendricks beat me. It happens to everybody."

He added:

"When I had some performances that I was not too proud of, I take a note of all the things that I did before the fight, and I try to make an assessment of what I should have done differently. And I try to not repeat the same mistake.”

Catch the clip from the podcast here:

#1. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is interested in a move up to welterweight

Islam Makhachev is currently set to make his first title defense when he takes on Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia next weekend.

The bout features 'The Great' moving up a weight class. It also pits the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighters in the organization against one another. The winner of the fight will not only take home the 155lb strap but will see them firmly placed as the No. 1 fighter in the UFC.

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Whilst preparing for his super fight with the Australian, Islam Makhachev spoke with RSports Russia about future plans for his career. He stated that he's planning on having a long and successful reign as the lightweight champ. However, he did suggest that he has already got in mind some potential opponents from the weight class above, should he decide to step up a division.

Makhachev said:

"I will say this topic is relevant. I like to compete, I like to fight strong fighters. I love big fights - whoever is the welterweight champion, it's going to be a huge fight. I'm very interested." [Translated from Russian to English via Google]

Makhachev believes there are some desirable match-ups in the weight-class above. The lightweight champion still reassured his fans that he's not planning on leaving the 155lb division just yet.

"But so that in 2023... There are worthy applicants, with whom I still have to meet."