Kurt Holobaugh Delivers Epic Performance on The Ultimate Fighter

Before teams were chosen for The Ultimate Fighter 31, Conor McGregor predicted Kurt Holobaugh to win the lightweight tournament.

If Holobaugh wins his next fight, McGregor’s foresight will prove prescient.

A sensational showing on The Ultimate Fighter has put Holobaugh in the lightweight finals, where he will face Austin Hubbard this Saturday at UFC 292. The winner receives a UFC contract. For Holobaugh, a two-stint UFC veteran, a victory on Saturday would mark the start of a third chance with the organization.

“It’s so hard to get one opportunity, let alone a second opportunity in the UFC,” says Holobaugh. “I never had any hopes to get back for a third time. Before, I lost and had it all taken away. This is my chance to get back.”

Holobaugh (19-7, 1 NC) punched his way to the finals of TUF 31 with a vicious performance against Jason Knight. The two were teammates on Michael Chandler’s team and bonded throughout the season, and they made a pact to leave everything in the cage. The end result was a tribute to the famed Forrest Griffin-Stephan Bonner bout from the inaugural season of TUF in 2005, with Holobaugh and Knight absolutely pummeling each other.

“Jason is as tough as they come,” says Holobaugh. “In the first round, I hit him with every single thing I had. When I sat down after that round, I told myself I needed to be prepared to fight that way for three rounds.”

The finish would happen sooner than that. Holobaugh’s vicious assault was too much, leading to a TKO three minutes into the second round. By the moment Holobaugh had his hand raised, this had become one of TUF’s signature bouts.

Without commentary or cornermen, the sound of Holobaugh landing over and over again was jarring. Those strikes were thrown with precision, containing a toughness and resilience forged through past failure.

“It sucks that we had to fight each other and someone had to lose, but that’s how this game is played,” says Holobaugh. “I’ve really grown as a fighter, and I’m working to get back.”

Before he can punch his return ticket, Holobaugh has one more significant obstacle blocking his entry. Hubbard is also a fight away from fulfilling his destiny. But a lone contract awaits just the winner, meaning only one man will move on to greener pastures in the Octagon.

Win or lose, the 36-year-old Holobaugh has a lot more to offer to mixed martial arts. He is a proud coach and teacher of the sport. And while fighting for this third shot in the UFC was not what he initially anticipated, Holobaugh has poured in the work so he can seize the moment.

“I was enjoying coaching and working with all my students, and I was happy doing that,” says Holobaugh. “I didn’t think I’d have this opportunity, but it’s awesome to be able to get a third chance.”

Holobaugh’s blood, toil, and tears already rest upon the Octagon mat. He now seeks to add one more defining victory to his ongoing pursuit of excellence in the cage.

“Expect me to show up to fight,” says Holobaugh. “I’m treating this like I’m fighting for the UFC lightweight championship. For me, that’s what it is. If it’s one second or 15 minutes, I’ll be ready to fight.”

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