Read about the dominance of Team Chandler in “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 31 and get a preview of the upcoming bantamweight semifinal matchup between Brad Katona and Timur Valiev. Stay updated with the latest news and results from the show.
After a dominant performance in the quarterfinals of "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 31, the remaining members of Michael Chandler’s team were presented with an intriguing opportunity. They were offered a chance to train with Conor McGregor’s team ahead of their semifinal matchups. While most of the team decided to stay loyal to Chandler, one fighter, Brad Katona, accepted the offer.
The Lightweight Semifinal: Roosevelt Roberts vs. Austin Hubbard
In the first bout of the second round, Team Chandler teammates Roosevelt Roberts and Austin Hubbard faced off. The fight started off slow, with both fighters cautiously testing each other in the first round. In the second round, Hubbard managed to secure a takedown, which likely gave him the edge. The third round saw both fighters exchanging shots, with Roberts scoring a takedown of his own. However, the judges awarded the round to Hubbard via split decision, granting him a spot in the lightweight finale.
Hubbard, a UFC veteran who competed from 2019 to 2021, now finds himself one step closer to returning to the promotion’s roster.
Storylines to Watch
One notable storyline from this episode was the loyalty of Team Chandler’s fighters. Despite the opportunity to train with Team McGregor, most of the team members expressed their desire to remain with Chandler. In a conversation between Katona and Trevor Wells, Wells revealed that Jason Knight said he would "rather go home than train with Team McGregor." The loyalty of the veteran fighters to Chandler and his coaching staff could prove to be a significant factor in their success.
Next Week’s Matchup: Brad Katona vs. Timur Valiev
In the upcoming episode, Brad Katona will face Timur Valiev in the bantamweight semifinal. Here’s what we know about these two fighters:
- Timur Valiev: Record – 18-3, UFC record – 2-1, 1 NC, Age – 33, Fighting out of – Dagestan, Russia
- Brad Katona: Record – 12-2, UFC record – 2-2, Age – 31, Fighting out of – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The winner of this matchup will secure a spot in "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 31 bantamweight finale.
Stay tuned for more exciting fights and developments on "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 31!
| Fight Results |
|---|
| Roosevelt Roberts vs. Austin Hubbard: Austin Hubbard wins via split decision |
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