“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 11 as teammates-turned-opponents threw down in what Dana White afterward called “the fight of the season.”
On Episode 11, Team Chandler teammates Kurt Holobaugh and Jason Knight threw down in a thrilling lightweight semifinal. 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 runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. 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 11 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.
'Battle of the Bayou'
Holobaugh and Knight talk about their long history leading up to the fight. Louisiana’s Holobaugh and Mississippi’s Knight were supposed to fight a decade prior on the regional scene when they were undefeated with a combined 11 professional fights. The fight was canceled when Knight got into a car wreck.
Since then, both men made it to the UFC and were released. Holobaugh made it twice. But due to their parallels, the two lightweights became cordial – a mutual respect that was amplified during their time as members of Team Chandler.
Talking in the house, Holobaugh and Knight promise the rest of the cast an exciting battle is incoming.
“We’re going to beat the piss out of each other and then have us a beer together afterward,” Knight said.
Holobaugh added, “If we don’t trade 500 punches each, we didn’t do our job.
Coach Chandler's breakdown
“Jason Knight is more talented than anybody has ever given him credit for,” Chandler said in a cut scene as he gave his pre-fight breakdown. ” He’s got all the abilities to go out there and beat Kurt on the feet. Kurt has the ability to go out there and beat Jason on the feet. Jason has that kind of ‘war of attrition’ style where he’ll hit you with 100 punches, but Kurt Holobaugh has some power in his hands.
“Gosh, this fight is so close, man. I think they’re pretty even on the ground. I think they’re pretty even on the feet. I think both areas they’re kind of 50-50, so this fight itself might be one of the most evenly matched fights we could have here on ‘The Ultimate Fighter.'”
Coaches' challenge: 'It's bath time'
The teams and coaches enter the UFC Apex for the coaches’ challenge and find UFC president Dana White alongside Bruce Buffer and ring card girl Brookliyn Wren.
Behind them, there are two cold plunge baths.
“Today is going to be cold plunge trivia,” White said. “Bruce Buffer will host the competition and the winning coach gets $10,000. The winning team gets $1,500 each.”
As Buffer explains, there will be three rounds. Rounds 1 and 2 are worth one point each. Round 3 is worth two points. A tie will result in a tiebreaker Round 4.
Chandler voices concerns
In a cut scene, Chandler voices his concerns about the nature of this season’s coaches’ challenge.
“I could not think of a worse coaches’ challenge for me,” Chandler said. “I like the sport. I like to watch the sport. I like to watch individual performances, but I don’t retain that type of information.”
McGregor voices confidence
“Q&A about the UFC history?” McGregor said in a cut scene. “I am the UFC history. I was confident I was going to get that one.”
Let the (cold) games begin
McGregor and Chandler go back-and-forth, all the while freezing cold, much to the delight of their teams.
Each round of trivia has a different theme. Round 1 is UFC trivia. Round 2 is “TUF” trivia. Round 3 consisted of alternating questions, in which each coach would have to answer trivia about the other.
The two lasted over 20 minutes in their cold plunges
The results
After Round 1 (UFC): McGregor leads 5-3.
After Round 2 (“TUF”): McGregor leads 10-8.
After Round 3 (opponent): McGregor wins 16-14.
McGregor pocketed $10,000 for his team – split among the fighters $1,250 apiece.
Weigh-in prayer
After they each nailed weight, they partook in a dual prayer on stage.
Calls from home
As all the semifinal participants have been permitted to do, Knight and Holobaugh are allotted a 10-minute video call with their families.
The fight: Kurt Holobaugh vs. Jason Knight
Round 1 – They touch gloves and we’re off. Within seconds, they’re trading. Holobaugh smiles and then snaps Knight’s head around with a violent right hand. Knight goes on roller skates but stays upright. Knight grabs hold of Holobaugh against the fence. Holobaugh separates the clinch with a brutal elbow and pursues Knight across the cage with a punching combination. Knight rips a pair of big body punches. Holobaugh catches a Knight kick. Knight falls to the ground but Holobaugh welcomes him back up. Holobaugh continues to pressure and punish Knight with boxing. Another big right hand lands for Holobaugh… and another… and another. Knight circles away and resets. Holobaugh feeds him another. Knight says something and Holobaugh smiles. Holobaugh lands a wicked body shot, then a few combinations to the head. Knight has taken a lot of punishment just two minutes into the fight, but he remains upright. Holobaugh goes to the body with a kick. Knight returns. Holobaugh lands another punch. Knight is busted on the bridge of his nose. Knight integrates a push kick into his arsenal and fires a comhination. Holobaugh connects again. Knight goes to clinch and topples over. Holobaugh lets him up. Knight pokes Holobaugh in the eye, but Holobaugh says he’s OK. Holobaugh lands another combination. They both land. “I told y’all boys we was banging,” Knight yells into the otherwise quiet UFC Apex. They trade again. Knight slips and pops back up. Holobaugh lands another big right hand at the 10-second clacker. The horn sounds and White applauds.
Round 2 – Holobaugh comes out aggressive. They both kick. Holobaugh lands two punches. Knight whiffs. Holobaugh tries a high kick. Knight tries the same. Holobaugh lands another combination to the head, then punches the body, then kicks the leg. Knight lands a left hand, then a pair of body kicks followed by a high kick. Holobaugh corners Knight, whose back has been nearly against the fence the entire round. Holobaugh connects with another punch followed by knees. Back toward the center, both men land. Holobaugh cracks Knight with a big punch and follows it up with a knee. Holobaugh is battering Knight, over and over. A big body punch drops Knight, who covers up. Holobaugh pounds him with elbows and referee Mark Smith dives in.
Weight: Lightweight
Round: Semifinal (three rounds)
Team Chandler fighter 1: Kurt Holobaugh (19-7)
Team Chandler fighter 2: Jason Knight (22-7)
Result: Kurt Holobaugh def. Jason Knight via TKO (punches) – Round 2
Reactions:
McGregor: “Classic, gentlemen. That’s a classic fight. That’s a classic bout on the show, guys. Well done.”
White: “That was incredible. That’s the fight of the season right there. … This is the type of fight that I wanted to see: two badass UFC vets who are dying to get back into the UFC. Both of these guys wanted to stand and drop bombs. That’s exactly what they did in the first round, exchanging shots, knowing exactly what was riding in this fight. I was very impressed with both of these guys. … Just a badass fight, best one of the season thus far.”
Chandler: “I feel like Kurt Holobaugh has been playing possum this entire time. He’s so quiet and he’s so humble but to walk Jason down tonight, to throw punches in bunches, but very, very calculated, he looked absolutely masterful.”
Lightweight semifinal set: Kurt Holobaugh vs. Austin Hubbard
With his win on Episode 11, Holobaugh (19-7) will face Austin Hubbard (15-6) on the UFC 292 prelims Aug. 19 in Boston.
Next week's fight: Rico DiSciullo vs. Cody Gibson
In the final fight of the season, Rico DiSciullo battles UFC alum Cody Gibson in a bantamweight semifinal.
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
- Episode 10: Blood pours everywhere at the UFC Apex
