Conor McGregor is starting to enjoy his latest Ultimate Fighter stint.
‘Notorious’ loved starring on the MMA reality TV show in 2015, but things haven’t been going so well since he returned to coach alongside potential opponent Michael Chandler.
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The 35-year-old was on the brink of making an unwanted piece of history when his group of prospects lost seven consecutive bouts against Chandler’s team of former UFC fighters.
Rico DiSciullo, the lowest-ranked bantamweight in the competition, spared his blushes with a brutal knockout win over Hunter Azure in the last quarter-final fight.
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Brad Katona then opted to leave Chandler’s team and reunite with McGregor whom he has trained with at SBG Ireland for the past six years.
In episode 10 of TUF 31, ‘Superman’ fought Timur Valiev over three rounds for a place in the final and the chance to earn a second shot at UFC glory.
By the end of round one, he was drenched in blood after a cut opened on his right eye and left him with a lot of work to do to keep McGregor’s winning run going.
Over the next ten minutes, the Canadian and Valiev went blow for blow in what will certainly be remembered as one of the best fights of the season.
UFC president Dana White was so impressed by what he saw, he claimed both men should walk away victorious but it was Katona who secured a split decision win.
As soon as the verdict was announced, McGregor went straight over to Valiev and shook his hand while repeatedly telling him, ‘You’re a hell of a fighter!’
Katona was released by the UFC in 2019 after losing two of his first three figths with the company and ‘Mystic Mac’ believes feeling hard done by will drive his teammate to greatness.
“It’s a tough ask to go against disgruntled veterans,” McGregor said.
“A veteran who is coming back with a vengeance. Brad is in that stage of his career right now and that could send him all the way, all the way to gold.”
Katona will face DiSciullo or Cody Gibson in the final later this year.
