Team Chandler dominates The Ultimate Fighter 31 finals with Cody Gibson’s victory over Rico DiSciullo. Get all the details on the lightweight and bantamweight matchups and the uncertainty surrounding Conor McGregor’s future.
In a stunning display of dominance, Michael Chandler’s team takes over The Ultimate Fighter 31 finals. With Cody Gibson’s victory over Rico DiSciullo, it is now official that all four fighters in the finals originated from Team Chandler.
Chandler’s impressive run on the show saw him win the first seven fights of the season. However, Conor McGregor fighter DiSciullo managed to upset Hunter Azure, ending Chandler’s winning streak. But DiSciullo’s luck ran out when he faced Gibson in the finals.
The fight started with a disastrous slip by DiSciullo, allowing Gibson to capitalize and take his back. Gibson unleashed a barrage of ground strikes, leaving DiSciullo struggling to escape. Despite his efforts, DiSciullo was unable to shake off Gibson, who eventually secured an arm-triangle choke for the submission victory.
In the bantamweight finals, Gibson will now face former Team Chandler teammate Brad Katona. Katona, who switched teams in the semifinals to avoid a training conflict, will reunite with McGregor and his longtime coaches.
Meanwhile, in the lightweight finals, Team Conor fighters Austin Hubbard and Kurt Holobaugh will go head-to-head. The show concluded with a face-off between the four finalists, as well as coaches McGregor and Chandler.
While a welterweight bout between McGregor and Chandler is expected, it has not been officially confirmed. Recent sexual assault accusations against McGregor and his ongoing issues with USADA have left his competitive future uncertain.
The Ultimate Fighter 31 aired live every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. The lightweight and bantamweight finalists will compete for a six-figure UFC contract at UFC 292 this Saturday in Boston.
TUF 31 Roster
Here is the TUF 31 roster divided by team:
Team McGregor (prospects)
Lightweight
- Lee Hammond (27, 5-0)
- Nate Jennerman (29, 16-5)
- Aaron McKenzie (34, 11-2-1)
- Landon Quinones (27, 7-1-1)
Bantamweight
- Mando Gutierrez (26, 8-2)
- Trevor Wells (27, 8-3)
- Carlos Vera (35, 11-3)
- Rico DiSciullo (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 Holobaugh (36, 19-7, 1 NC)
Bantamweight
- Hunter Azure (31, 10-3)
- Brad Katona (31, 12-2)
- Timur Valiev (33, 18-3, 1 NC)
- Cody Gibson (35, 19-8)
Quarterfinal Results
Here are the quarterfinal results:
| Lightweight | Bantamweight |
|---|---|
| Roosevelt Roberts def. | Cody Gibson def. |
| Nate Jennerman via KO | Mando Gutierrez via TKO |
| Austin Hubbard def. | Brad Katona def. |
| Aaron McKenzie via UD | Carlos Vera via UD |
| Timur Valiev def. | Kurt Holobaugh def. |
| Trevor Wells via UD | Lee Hammond via Sub |
| Jason Knight def. | Rico DiSciullo def. |
| Landon Quinones via Sub | Hunter Azure via KO |
Semi-final Results
Here are the semi-final results and matchups:
| Lightweight | Bantamweight |
|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard def. | Brad Katona def. |
| Roosevelt Roberts via SD | Timur Valiev via SD |
| Kurt Holobaugh def. | Cody Gibson def. |
| Jason Knight via TKO | Rico DiSciullo via Sub |
Finals Matchups
Here are the finals matchups:
| Lightweight | Bantamweight |
|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard vs. | Brad Katona vs. |
| Kurt Holobaugh | Cody Gibson |
Advanced to semifinals: Roberts, Gibson, Hubbard, Valiev, Katona, Holobaugh, Knight, DiSciullo
Eliminated: Jennerman, Gutierrez, McKenzie, Wells, Vera, Hammond, Quinones, Azure, Roberts, Valiev, Knight, DiSciullo
