Brad Katona Wins The Ultimate Fighter Bantamweight Finale
BOSTON, MA – Brad Katona is returning to the UFC.
Katona defeated Cody Gibson at UFC 292 in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 31, overcoming a slow start to produce an absolutely dominant victory. The win crowns him the bantamweight winner of TUF 31, making history by becoming the first fighter to ever win TUF twice.
“To be making history and winning for a second time, that’s special,” says Katona, who started on Michael Chandler’s but switched late into the season onto gym mate Conor McGregor’s squad. “It’s been a hard road, so it’s time to pull back and soak this in.”
There was a fast pace in the opening round. Gibson kept landing his right hand, but Katona landed two significant left hands, causing swelling under Gibson’s right eye. That was the beginning of Gibson’s demise, as Katona (13-2) continued to attack the eye.
“My hands hurt a little, but that’s a good problem to have after a fight,” says Katona. “It means a lot to think that’s a candidate for fight of the year.”
The intense striking continued into the third round, with a combined 303 significant strikes connected between the two fighters. Katona landed 155 of those, attacking Gibson’s right eye.
“This is where I should have been all along,” says Katona. “All I ever needed was the opportunity. I think I proved that against Cody.”
The loss is devastating for Gibson (19-9), who nearly returned to the UFC after fighting for eight-and-a-half years to accomplish that feat. But it is also especially rewarding for Katona, who looks to do damage in the bantamweight division.
“Winning this twice isn’t the end goal,” says Katona. “It’s another step on the way. It’s a very nice accolade, but this isn’t the end of the road. I’m eyeing that bantamweight title.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
