“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 Brad Katona and Team Chandler’s Timur Valiev 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 Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler 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.
'A mutual and understandable switch'
With Katona choosing to jump to Team McGregor, he says farewell to his Team Chandler coaching staff.
“I just appreciate everything. I know it’s not goodbye or anything like that,” Katona said as he embraced Chandler.
Chandler explained why he was at peace with the departure.
“I truly think each individual deserves to be put in the best scenario for themselves,” Chandler said.
'Welcome back to Team McGregor'
After departing Team Chandler, Katona receives a warm welcome from his new Team McGregor teammates – as well as coach McGregor, his longtime teammate outside of “TUF.”
Islam Makhachev voices his support
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev stops by a Valiev training session and voices his support.
“I knew Timur many, many years,” Makhachev said. “We trained together many times. He’s a hard worker and he really deserves to be in the UFC because he is a professional.”
Video calls back home
Katona and Valiev are each permitted a 10-minute video call with a loved one.
Katona calls his girlfriend and reads her a passage he wrote in his journal one night about her.
Valiev calls his mother, who updates him on how the family is doing.
The fight: Brad Katona vs. Timur Valiev
Katona comes out jabbing and then lands a hard punch. He’s pushing the action. Valiev fires a leg kick that echoes throughout the venue. Katona moves in on Valiev and shoots for a takedown against the fence. He gets it, but is absolutely gushing from a quick strike. There is blood leaking all over the canvas. Valiev pushes him away and scrambles up to the feet. They’re both already covered in blood. Valiev lands a high kick on Katona’s face, to which UFC president Dana White says, “How the f*ck did he eat that?” Katona lands a hard punch. Katona lands another combination, and another. Valiev returns to the leg kick. Katona throws a kick and Valiev catches it. Valiev drags Katona down and tries to take his back. Katona gets back to his feet, but Valiev is leaning on him against the cage. Valiev briefly dumps Katona down. Katona pops up and they exchange strikes as the horn sounds.
In Round 2, Katona comes out firing again. Valiev throws a series of kicks and briefly attempts a takedown before pulling up. They clinch in the middle of the cage and exchange knees. They break. Valiev kicks more as the blood pours down the right side of Katona’s face. Katona lands two slick left hooks. Referee Keith Peterson warns the fighters for nearly clashing heads while moving forward. Valiev lands a spinning back kick in the midst of another series of leg kicks. Right at the end of the round, Valiev lands a slick judo throw.
Entering the final round, it could be anyone’s fight. McGregor barks at Katona to use his backhand. Again Katona pushes the pace early. Valiev fires back. Katona lands a hard punch. Valiev lands two kicks. Katona comes over the top with a big right hand, then lands a beautiful left on Valiev as he closes. Valiev shoots for a takedown against the fence. He gets it. There is a ton of blood. Katona slowly works his way to the feet, but Valiev is leaning on him. Katona wiggles away. Back in the center, Katona lands a left hand. Valiev shoots but Katona stuffs. Valiev takes a big breath. Both men land. Katona grabs hold of a single leg and walks Valiev back to the fence. Katona lands body shots and the fighters break as the horn sounds. That was a fun action fight.
Weight: Bantamweight
Round: Semifinal (three rounds)
Team Chandler fighter 1: Brad Katona (12-2)
Team Chandler fighter 2: Timur Valiev (18-3)
Result: Brad Katona def. Timur Valiev via split decision
Next week's fight: Kurt Holobaugh vs. Jason Knight
In the second bantamweight semifinal, Team Chandler lightweights Kurt Holobaugh and Jason Knight slug it out in what Dana White calls the best fight of the season.
Previous episode recaps
- Episode 1: One of the fastest KOs in TUF history
- Episode 2: A cold sore postponement and a flying KO
- Episode 3: Action fight keeps momentum on one side
- Episode 4: Drawn-out negotiating, fight finally scheduled
- Episode 5: A ‘diva’ and ‘unfinished fights’ spark frustration
- Episode 6: Crushed Conor McGregor gets violent
- Episode 7: Two injury exams and another quick finish
- Episode 8: Did Conor McGregor avoid clean sweep?
- Episode 9: First semifinal leaves Dana White unimpressed
