Austin Hubbard emerges as the first finalist of The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight tournament. Read about the slow-paced fight and the road to the finals.
In an uneventful three-round affair, Austin Hubbard emerged as the first finalist of The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight tournament. Hubbard narrowly defeated Roosevelt Roberts in a split decision to secure his spot in the finals. He now awaits the winner of the other semifinal bout between Jason Knight and Kurt Holobaugh, with a UFC contract on the line.
A Slow-Paced Fight
Hubbard and Roberts, who had become close during filming, showcased their bond in the cage as they both showed a lack of urgency to take control of the fight. Hubbard focused on mixing up his strikes to close the distance against the rangy Roberts, while Roberts looked to time counter punches and stuff takedowns.
Ground-and-Pound Dominance
After a closely contested first round, Hubbard scored a takedown in the second round, allowing him to unleash ground-and-pound from top position. Roberts managed to score a takedown of his own in the third round, but neither fighter had any significant impactful moments throughout the fight.
Team Chandler’s Dilemma
The fight took a strange turn as Michael Chandler and his coaches decided not to corner either fighter to avoid showing favoritism. This led to a silent atmosphere in the UFC APEX. Coach Conor McGregor provided commentary during the fight, but even he acknowledged that the bout felt like a glorified spar.
The Road to the Finals
With Hubbard advancing, Chandler now has one fighter in the finale, with five more of his charges still to compete. The upcoming semifinal matchups include Jason Knight vs. Kurt Holobaugh and Brad Katona vs. Timur Valiev.
Uncertain Future for Conor McGregor
Following the season finale, a welterweight bout between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler is expected, but the matchup has not been officially confirmed. McGregor’s future competitive status remains unclear due to recent sexual assault accusations and ongoing issues with the USADA.
Conclusion
The Ultimate Fighter 31 continues to deliver intense competition as Austin Hubbard secures his place in the finals. Fans eagerly await the upcoming matchups and the announcement of the date for the finals.
