“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 9 as two teammates collide after the semifinal matchups are announced.
On Episode 9, Team Chandler lightweights Austin Hubbard and Roosevelt Roberts square off in a bout that did not live up to UFC president Dana White’s standards.
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 9 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.
Matchup announcements and team changes
When the fighters arrive home after training, they find the semifinals matchups posted on the board, as follows:
- Bantamweight: Rico DiSciullo vs. Cody Gibson
- Bantamweight: Brad Katona vs. Timur Valiev
- Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh vs. Jason Knight
- Lightweight: Austin Hubbard vs. Roosevelt Roberts
Additionally, Katona, Holobaugh, and Hubbard are listed as now being with Team McGregor, due to the 7-1 score differential in the quarterfinal round.
Pushback on team transfers
UFC president Dana White noted in a cut scene the fighters do not have to switch teams if they do not want to.
Holobaugh and Hubbard ultimately elect to stick with Team Chandler, while Katona decides to make the switch, as he regularly trains with SBG Ireland and coach John Kavanagh when not fighting on the reality series.
“Switching teams for some, could be a difficult proposition,” Katona explained. “For myself, my best position to succeed is to be reunited with my coach, John Kavanagh.”
"A tough spot. It's weird, man"
Chandler attempts to devise the least weird and most fair way of dividing up training resources and time to supply Hubbard and Roberts with what they need.
“(It) gets a little bit tricky when you’ve got four guys on your team fighting each other. During those two fights, I’m going to be on the outside. I’m going have one of my coaches for one guy, one of my coaches for the other guy, basically just giving them water and answering any questions if they have any questions or concerns, any problems. … We’re really going to stay out of this as much as possible.”
Irish stew
McGregor visits the TUF house, much to the annoyance of Gibson.
Irish stew is whipped up, using McGregor’s Irish stout.
The stew reviews were mostly favorable, though Knight voiced his distaste for the beer flavor.
Unexpected check-ins
Hubbard and Roberts are permitted to have unexpected 10-minute video calls with their family and friends. Bother fighters describe how the calls, despite their brevity, rejuvenated them and reminded them what they’re fighting for.
“It was the highlight of this trip so far,” Hubbard said.
Weigh-in drama and an impromptu haircut
Roberts weighs in with the box and misses by approximately a quarter-pound on his first attempt. Hubbard makes weight on the first try.
Rather than do another sauna session, Roberts calls on fellow cast member and unofficial house barber Mando Gutierrez to trim his long hair.
The fight: Austin Hubbard vs. Roosevelt Roberts
Both fighters come out fairly tentative. They both have a lot of respect for one another’s abilities. Roosevelt targets Hubbard’s legs with kicks. Hubbard punches the body of Roberts. Despite not having a dog in the fight, McGregor barks out instructions at each fighter. Hubbard lands a hard leg kick, then another to the body. Roberts lands a knee and Hubbard punches him in the groin. A timeout is called. After a brief recovery session, Roberts is OK and the action resumes. Hubbard continues to find a home for his lead leg kick. Roberts returns. They alternate kicks.
In Round 2, referee Mark Smith warns Roberts to watch his fingers. Hubbard shoots for a takedown and Roberts threatens a guillotine choke. Hubbard goes right into side control to evade. Roberts shifts and shoots for a triangle, as Hubbard ends up in his guard. Roberts gives up on the triangle and eats an elbow. Deep breaths from both men. McGregor is still giving instructions. Roberts tries another triangle. It doesn’t work, but he pushes Hubbard away and gets to his feet. Back in the center at distance, Roberts lands a good one-two combination. The two point-fight until the final buzzer.
Going into the final round, it’s a close fight. Both rounds were tight. Hubbard maintains being the more aggressive of the two fighters. Hubbard shoots for a takedown. Roberts defends but Hubbard continues to clinch him along the fence. They trade inside knees until Roberts threatens a guillotine to reverse dominant position. Roberts switches to the back in the clinch. He shoots for a takedown and Hubbard drops down. Roberts lands on top in half guard. Hubbard threatens a kneebar. Roberts evades but gets a warning from Smith for grabbing the fence. Roberts is in Hubbard’s guard. Hubbard rolls and uses the fence to get back to the feet. Hubbard drives Roberts into the cage as McGregor chastises Smith for not separating inactivity. The two fighters separate themselves with about a minute to go. Roberts grabs Hubbard and drives him into the fence. They break moments before the horn.
Weight: Lightweight
Round: Semifinal (three rounds)
Team Chandler fighter 1: Austin Hubbard (15-6)
Team Chandler fighter 2: Roosevelt Roberts (12-3)
Result: Austin Hubbard def. Roosevelt Roberts via split decision – Round 3
Dana White not impressed
“Regardless of who the judges have winning this fight, I was not impressed,” White said. “We want guys in the UFC who take control of the finish. You would think Roosevelt and Austin would know that considering they’ve both been here before, but they weren’t aggressive. Whoever wins this, I just hope they look better in the finale.”
Next week's fight: Brad Katona vs. Timur Valiev
In the first bantamweight semifinal, new Team McGregor import Katona battles Team Chandler’s Valiev in a three-round bout.
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?
