Tag: Brad Katona

Kurt Holobaugh’s ‘TUF 31’ chronicles: After the cameras stopped rolling and the dust settled

Cast member Kurt Holobaugh gives MMA Junkie an exclusive, inside look at “The Ultimate Fighter 31: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler” one last time.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” with coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] came to an end Tuesday night, attracting more eyeballs back to the series.

This season featured eight lightweights and eight bantamweights. McGregor’s team was comprised of eight fighters who have not competed in the UFC against Chandler’s team of eight UFC alumni.

Among those UFC alums was [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag], the lone fighter who had two previous stints with the promotion. Holobaugh went 0-4 over those stretches, but history shows a tough strength of schedule: Steven Siler, Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises.

Now at lightweight rather than featherweight, Holobaugh devastated two opponents to get a third look from the UFC.

Each week here at MMA Junkie, Holobaugh has peeled back the curtain to provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look and give insight into what may not have made it on the show.

Check out below what Holobaugh had to say about Episode 12, the season finale that featured [autotag]Rico DiSciullo[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag].

‘TUF 31’ lightweight, bantamweight final matchups set for UFC 292 in Boston

“The Ultimate Fighter, Season 31” finals are officially locked for Saturday’s UFC 292 card in Boston. See which UFC vets will be competing.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” will end in Boston.

Following the season’s final episode Tuesday night, the lightweight and bantamweight finals are set and will take place Saturday at UFC 292 from TD Garden, as was first reported by MMA Junkie.

In the lightweight final, UFC alumni [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag] and [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag] will collide for a six-figure UFC contract. The two were members of [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]’s team during the show.

A grudge match materializes in the bantamweight final, as [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag], of Team Chandler, faces Team [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag].

Holobaugh (19-7 MMA, 0-4 UFC) enters his third stint with the UFC after consecutive wins on the reality series. His first stint was only one fight long (a loss to Steven Siler in 2013) and it immediately followed the Strikeforce merger. In 2018, Holobaugh returned after a win on Dana White’s Contender Series and lost three consecutive fights against Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises.

First, Holobaugh rallied to submit McGregor underling Lee Hammond before he put forth a brutal TKO beatdown of teammate and friend Jason Knight to win in the semifinals. The bout vs. Knight is considered by many one of the best in series history.

Hubbard (15-6 MMA, 3-4 UFC) competed seven times in the UFC from May 2019 to August 2021. His wins included Kyle Prepolec, Max Rohskopf, and Dakota Bush. Though he alternated losses and wins for his entire UFC tenure, Hubbard and the promotion separated following a loss to Vinc Pichel.

During the “TUF 31” filming, Hubbard defeated LFA lightweight champion Aaron McKenzie by unanimous decision and former UFC fighter Roosevelt Roberts by split decision.

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While Holobaugh and Hubbard remained cordial throughout the season, Gibson (19-8 MMA, 1-3 UFC) and Katona (12-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) have not.

Due to his mixed allegiances of having coach John Kavanagh as the opposing team’s coach, Katona departed Team Chandler to join Team McGregor – a move many in the house saw as overdue.

In the final episode of “TUF 31,” an argument between the two broke out after Gibson wrote “F*ck you, Brad” on a note in the kitchen.

Gibson returns to the UFC after nearly a decade outside of the promotion. He competed four times for the UFC from February 2014 to February 2015 and went 1-3 including a loss to future bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who headlines Saturday’s event. En route to the finals, Gibson defeated Mando Gutierrez by knockout, then submitted Rico DiSciullo.

Katona seeks his second “TUF” championship after wins over Carlos Vera (unanimous decision) and Timur Valiev (split decision).

In 2018, Katona won “The Ultimate Fighter 27” at bantamweight. Though he won his next bout vs. Matthew Lopez, Katona dropped decisions to Merab Dvalishvili and Hunter Azure immediately thereafter and he was let go. Katona has gone 4-0 in professional bouts since.

With the additions, the UFC 292 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley – for bantamweight title
  • Champ Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos – for women’s strawweight title
  • Ian Machado Garry vs. Neil Magny
  • Mario Bautista vs. Da’Mon Blackshear
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Marlon Vera

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Brad Tavares vs. Chris Weidman
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Denis Tiuliulin
  • Kurt Holobaugh vs. Austin Hubbard – “TUF” 31 lightweight final
  • Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona – “TUF” 31 bantamweight final

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Andre Petroski
  • Andrea Lee vs. Natalia Silva
  • Maryna Moroz vs. Karine Silva

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,’ Episode 12 recap: ‘That f*cking slip just cost me that fight’

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” returns as the final in-house bout ends in a fashion that has one fighter kicking himself.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 12 as the final fight of the season transpires.

On Episode 12, Team McGregor’s [autotag]Rico DiSciullo[/autotag] fights Team Chandler’s Cody Gibson to see who will be the final fighter to fill a slot in the finals and face [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag]. Also, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler competed against one another – in the coaches’ challenge: an ice plunge trivia game – with thousands of dollars on the line.

The season concluded Tuesday with the live finale set for Saturday at UFC 292. The promotion also intends for coaches McGregor and Chandler to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 12 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag], who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

Kurt Holobaugh’s ‘TUF 31’ chronicles: No hard feelings, semifinal vibes, and interactions with Dana White

Cast member Kurt Holobaugh gives MMA Junkie an exclusive, inside look at “The Ultimate Fighter 31: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.”

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” is ongoing with coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] attracting more eyeballs back to the series.

This season, which features eight lightweights and eight bantamweights, airs Tuesdays on ESPN. McGregor’s team features eight fighters who have not competed in the UFC against Chandler’s team of eight UFC alumni.

Among those UFC alums is [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag], the lone fighter who had two previous stints with the promotion. Holobaugh went 0-4 over those stretches, but history shows a tough strength of schedule: Steven Siler, Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises.

Now at lightweight rather than featherweight, Holobaugh devastated two opponents to get a third look from the UFC.

Each week here at MMA Junkie, Holobaugh will peel back the curtain and provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look and give insight into what may not have made the cut onto the episode.

Check out what Holobaugh had to say about Episode 10 below.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,’ Episode 10 recap: Blood pours everywhere at the UFC Apex

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” returns as a bantamweight battle gets super bloody.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 10 as teammates-turned-opponents threw down in a bloody slugfest.

On Episode 10, newly-acquired Team McGregor bantamweight [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag] and Team Chandler’s [autotag]Timur Valiev[/autotag] pleased Dana White with one of the best fights of the season.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 10 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

Kurt Holobaugh’s ‘TUF 31’ chronicles: How switch from Team Michael Chandler to Team Conor McGregor was evaded

Cast member Kurt Holobaugh gives MMA Junkie an exclusive, inside look at “The Ultimate Fighter 31: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.”

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” is ongoing with coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] attracting more eyeballs back to the series.

This season, which features eight lightweights and eight bantamweights, airs Tuesdays on ESPN. McGregor’s team features eight fighters who have not competed in the UFC against Chandler’s team of eight UFC alumni.

Among those UFC alums is [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag], the lone fighter who had two previous stints with the promotion. Holobaugh went 0-4 over those stretches, but history shows a tough strength of schedule: Steven Siler, Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises.

Now at lightweight rather than featherweight, Holobaugh devastated two opponents to get a third look from the UFC.

Each week here at MMA Junkie, Holobaugh will peel back the curtain and provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look and give insight into what may not have made the cut onto the episode.

Check out what Holobaugh had to say about Episode 9 below.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,’ Episode 9 recap: First semifinal leaves Dana White unimpressed

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” returns as Conor McGregor makes his family recipe of Irish stew and the first semifinal leaves Dana White unimpressed.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 9 as two teammates collide after the semifinal matchups are announced.

On Episode 9, Team Chandler lightweights [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag] and [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] square off in a bout that did not live up to UFC president Dana White’s standards.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 9 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

Kurt Holobaugh’s ‘TUF 31’ chronicles: Why one teammate was disliked by the others

Cast member Kurt Holobaugh gives MMA Junkie an exclusive, inside look at “The Ultimate Fighter 31: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.”

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” is underway with coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] attracting more eyeballs back on the series.

This season, which features eight lightweights and eight bantamweights, debuted Tuesday on ESPN. McGregor’s team features eight fighters who have not competed in the UFC against Chandler’s team of eight UFC alumni.

Among those UFC alumni is [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag], the lone fighter who had two previous stints with the promotion. Holobaugh went 0-4 over those stretches, but history shows a tough strength of schedule: Steven Siler, Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises.

Now at lightweight rather than featherweight, Holobaugh devastated two opponents to get a third look from the UFC.

Each week here at MMA Junkie, Holobaugh will peel back the curtain and provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look and give insight into what may not have made the cut into the episode.

Check out what Holobaugh had to say about Episode 5 below.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler’ Episode 5 recap: A ‘diva’ and ‘unfinished fights’ spark frustration

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler” returned as internal frustration built among one team, and Conor McGregor lost his cool.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 5 as the anger begins to mount internally on one team – and externally through the second team’s coach.

On Episode 5, the matchup between [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag] finally happens after a disagreement and negotiations between coaches from each team pertaining to the weight class.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 5 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from “TUF 31” cast member Kurt Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

‘The Ultimate Fighter’ winner Brad Katona signs with EMC, set for bantamweight title tilt

“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 27 winner Brad Katona has signed with European promotion EMC, and will challenge for championship gold on his promotional debut.

Dublin-based Canadian [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag] has booked his first fight following his release by the UFC, and there’s championship gold on the line.

Katona (8-2) has signed a multi-fight contract with European promotion Elite MMA Championship (EMC) and will challenge the organization’s reigning bantamweight champion Stipe Brcic in the co-main event of EMC 6 on Oct. 31. Promotion officials confirmed the matchup with MMA Junkie.

SBG-trained Katona won the featherweight tournament on Season 27 of “The Ultimate Fighter” by defeating England’s Jay Cucciniello in the final. He then went on to defeat Matthew Lopez at UFC 231. Both wins came via unanimous decision.

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Back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Merab Dvalishvili and Hunter Azure led to Katona being released by the UFC with a 2-2 promotional record. Now, more than a year after his last appearance, he’s set to return to action against Croatia’s Brcic (8-1), who captured the EMC bantamweight title by defeating Brazil’s Kewin Jacques Rangel and Italy’s Luca Iovine in the same night to win the promotion’s 135-pound tournament at EMC 4.

EMC 6 will be headlined by a welterweight title bout as Austrian former UFC athlete Ismail Naurdiev and Georgian contender Amiran Gogoladze face off in the final of the promotion’s welterweight grand prix, with the inaugural 170-pound title on the line.

EMC 6 takes place Oct. 31 at the UFD Training Center, Dusseldorf, Germany. The event will be streamed live on FITE.tv.