'The Ultimate Fighter 31' rosters revealed, includes eight former UFC fighters



“The Ultimate Fighter” is back for a 31st season, which will be coached by lightweight stars Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.

Set to debut May 30 on ESPN and run until Aug. 15, the series will include men’s bantamweights and lightweights. Filming began in February in Las Vegas.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will square off after the conclusion of the series at a date and location yet-to-be-determined.

In addition to an announcement of rosters Saturday, the promotion announced the upcoming season will have a theme of “Redemption,” which pins former UFC fighters against rising prospects.

Dozens of fighters applied and only 16 were selected.



Bantamweight: Hunter Azure (10-3)

Age: 30

UFC experience: 2-2

Notes: Signed with UFC in 2019 after a win over Cris Ocon on Dana White’s Contender Series; defeated Cole Smith and Brad Katona in UFC; trains under coach Eddie Cha at Fight Ready in Scottsdale, Ariz.; has gone 1-1 since UFC departure.


Bantamweight: Rico DiSciullo (11-2)

Age: 36

UFC experience: None

Notes: DWCS Season 2 alumnus – lost to Montel Jackson; winner of five of his most recent six; longtime staple of CES MMA.


Bantamweight: Cody Gibson (19-8)

Age: 35

UFC experience: 1-3

Notes: Fought the likes of Aljamain Sterling and Manny Gamburyan in the UFC; since his UFC release has gone 7-1 including wins over John Dodson and Francisco Rivera.


Bantamweight: Mando Gutierrez (8-2)

Age: 25

UFC experience: None

Notes: DWCS Season 6 alum – lost to Raul Rosas Jr.; bounced back from DWCS defeat with a quick submission win in October; Total Warrior Combat bantamweight champion.


Bantamweight: Brad Katona (12-2)

Age: 31

UFC experience: 2-2

Notes: Won “The Ultimate Fighter, Season 27” bantamweight bracket; is 4-0 since UFC departure in 2020; current Brave CF bantamweight champion.


Bantamweight: Timur Valiev (18-3)

Age: 33

UFC experience: 2-1 with one no contest

Notes: Perennial WSOF/PFL contender from 2014-2018; signed with the UFC on six-fight winning streak in 2020; defeated Raoni Barcelos and Martin Day in UFC; was released in 2022 after loss to Jack Shore.


Bantamweight: Carlos Vera (12-3)

Age: 35

UFC experience: None

Notes: Top Fury FC bantamweight contender; represents Ecuador; rides a four-fight winning streak; six finishes in 12 pro wins.


Bantamweight: Trevor Wells (8-3)

Age: 27

UFC experience: None

Notes: Experience in Combate Global and LFA; currently rides a four-fight winning streak.


Lightweight: Lee Hammond (5-0)

Age: 26

UFC experience: None

Notes: Won his lone Bellator appearance to date in February 2022; four finishes in five professional fights; trains at SBG Ireland under coach John Kavanagh.


Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh (19-7)

Age: 36

UFC experience: 0-4

Notes: Had two stints in the UFC; the second stint he suffered losses against Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises; DWCS, Season 1 alumnus – defeated Matt Bessette; is 2-0 with two knockouts since his most recent UFC departure.


Lightweight: Austin Hubbard (15-6)

Age: 31

UFC experience: 3-4

Notes: Former LFA lightweight champion; earned UFC wins over Kyle Prepolec, Max Rohskopf and Dakota Bush; 2-0 since his UFC departure including a win over Julian Lane.


Lightweight: Nate Jennerman (16-5)

Age: 30

UFC experience: None

Notes: Holds career wins in PFL and LFA; rides a three-fight winning streak; has 13 wins including 12 submissions in 16 victories.


Lightweight: Jason Knight

Age: 30

UFC experience: 4-5

Notes: TUF 22 veteran; holds UFC wins over Dan Hooker, Alex Caceres and Chas Skelly, among others; three-time UFC bonus winner; fought Artem Lobov twice in BKFC and went 1-1.


Lightweight: Aaron McKenzie

Age: 34

UFC experience: None

Notes: LFA lightweight champion; trains under former Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Lovato Jr.; holds a win over former UFC fighter Joe Giannetti.


Lightweight: Landon Quinones (7-1-1)

Age: 27

UFC experience: None

Notes: Titan FC lightweight champion; was scheduled for DWCS, Season 4 but was pulled when he tested positive for COVID-19; trains under coach Henri Hooft at Kill Cliff FC.


Lightweight: Roosevelt Roberts (12-3)

Age: 28

UFC experience: 3-3 with one no contest

Notes: UFC wins over Thomas Gifford, Alexander Yakovlev and Brok Weaver; DWCS Season 2 alumnus – defeated Garrett Gross; 2-0 since UFC departure.



Source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/uf ... 31-rosters

Just tucking in to E01. If I were a betting man (not that my UFC betting history is that great) I'd stick my money on Chandler. As good as Connor is, he's had time out with an injury and we all know his gas tank is not great.
Chandler predicted KO in rnd 2 - I reckon that may be pretty close. Not that I'm wishing my life away to see the finale though, but I'm certainly looking forward to the season.

Yeah the season is looking very good with some serious prospects on the roster! Conor looks huge, like he could afford some "legal steroids" these days lol but who am I to judge, its probably just a lot of hard work and food...

I don't have any specific prediction about the finale or coaches fight yet, still remains to see in what mental shape Conor is after the season etc. But I'm sure he has a shot at Chandler if he focuses. But it will be rough. Chandler just fought some beasts, and looked good. Conor didn't fight in a long time, and didn't look great last time. But its MMA and "anything can happen"...

What team wins the season? It doesn't really matter too much. What fighters will look good and go on in UFC and have great careers? Probably several! And who won't? That's something I really look forward to seeing.

I love TUF as well as Contender series and Road to UFC. Shows where you see new talents and new backstories is really exciting to me!