Conor McGregor's teammate can set impressive TUF record after reaching finale

02 August 2023 , 03:01

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Conor McGregor's teammate can set impressive TUF record after reaching finale

Conor McGregor's teammate Brad Katona can become the first ever two-weight TUF winner as he progressed to the bantamweight final.

Katona earned himself a UFC contract by winning season 27 of the reality TV show back in 2018. The Canadian, who first started training at McGregor's SBG gym in Dublin in 2016, kept his unbeaten record intact by winning his UFC debut but was later cut by the promotion after suffering consecutive defeats.

After McGregor almost suffered a clean sweep by losing seven consecutive fights to rival coach Michael Chandler, Katona had to be switched teams as he was reunited with the former two-weight champion. McGregor was thrilled to see Katona secure him a second win as he beat fellow UFC veteran Timur Valiev by decision.

Conor McGregor's teammate Brad Katona reached the finale

Katona came firing out of the blocks in the first round but suffered a nasty cut less than two minutes in, with UFC boss Dana White left amazed at his toughness. The fast pace didn't slow down as Katona came close to securing a triangle choke in the final minute but Valiev did well to escape and threaten with a submission of his own.

Coach John Kavanagh recognised Katona was down on the scorecards but he came back to win both of the following rounds much to the relief of McGregor. Team Chandler was frustrated with the decision as White also felt the decision could have gone to either Katona or Valiev. "It was a war, both guys deserve the win and in my mind this fight was absolutely a toss-up," he said.

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"It was a great fight, a really nice technical bout. A nice war it was, for sure. Brad has the win over that style of opponent from that region, so we were confident that this match-up favours Brad. It was a great bout," McGregor said of the fight before giving praise to Valiev. "It's a tough, tough ask to go against disgruntled veterans. A veteran is who coming back with a vengeance."

"We did it, I'm going to the finale and I was reunited with my team," Katona said. "John, Owen Roddy and Conor, my heart was light and my soul was free. I could be free in that octagon, Timur was a tough cookie in the cage but I'm very proud of myself and the performance I put on. I'm going to make history and become the first ever double TUF champ." Katona will now face either Team McGregor's Rico DiSciullio or Team Chandler's Cody Gibson in the final.

Harry Davies