Brad Katona one win away from making history on The Ultimate Fighter

Katona will fight for The Ultimate Fighter 31 finals at UFC 292 on August 19

For the second time, Brad Katona is headed to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter.

And for the first time in show history, Katona looks to become the first-ever two-time champion.

“I’m very, very lucky,” says Katona, who won TUF’s featherweight tournament in 2017. “I have a really good team with really good coaches. They’ve given me everything I need to succeed, and they’re behind me 100 percent. I have a wonderful girlfriend. That makes it easy for me to go out there and put in on the line.”

Katona advanced to TUF 31’s bantamweight finals by defeating Timur Valiev in the semis, capturing a split decision victory in a phenomenal fight. Earlier in the season, he defeated Carlos Vera by unanimous decision, but that bout was nowhere near as captivating as the battle with Valiev.

Both Katona and Valiev had brief runs in the UFC before being released, and the intensity of their three-round bout was a testament to their desire to return.

“I’m very proud of that performance,” says Katona (12-2). “That showed what I’m capable of doing against a high-level Dagestani wrestler. I was looking for a finish, but he was extremely tough to put away. He’s a top-15 bantamweight in the UFC in my opinion. I was very proud to show that. My first fight, there was a lot going into that, and I am not to make excuses. In that second fight, I showed what I am capable of.”

Originally part of Michael Chandler’s team on TUF 31, Katona was given the offer to switch to Conor McGregor’s side, a proposition he accepted. It made complete sense, as Katona first started training at McGregor’s SBG gym in Dublin in 2016. His coach, John Kavanagh, is also an integral part of McGregor’s coaching staff, making the decision to switch an easy one for Katona.

“I was reconnected with my coach John Kavanagh, who could direct my training, and it was so nice to be part of the team Conor put together,” says Katona. “I have to get this off my chest–I’ve heard Conor wasn’t around at weigh-ins or in our corner. Conor brought in his nutritionist. He brought in an athletic trainer and a chef and the best coaches. He basically put together a Formula 1 team with every need taken care of, and Conor paid for all of that.

“You can’t question his dedication. It was such an easy decision to go over to Team McGregor.”

Katona’s success on TUF 31 is a continuation of the momentum he has been riding since April of 2021. Since then, he has won four straight fights, and he captured the BRAVE CF bantamweight championship during that stretch, successfully defending it this past October.

Despite accumulating victories, Katona could not garner interest from the UFC, where he split his four fights.

“We started making the push to get resigned by the UFC, but was told no,” says Katona. “I put my name forward for The Ultimate Fighter, but I didn’t get any interest back.

“Days before filming, John Kavanagh thought I could still be on the show. Sure enough, I got a text that said I needed to leave immediately. All I’ve ever asked for was an opportunity to try. The Ultimate Fighter provided that for me, and I was willing to bet on myself.”

Katona’s perseverance is paying off. He is now only one win away from becoming the first two-time TUF winner and resecuring a UFC contract, a necessary step in achieving his goal.

“I’m dreaming of the UFC bantamweight title, and that’s what I’m working toward,” says Katona. “I can’t wait to show what I’m capable of. I have a very good shot at being the best.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.