Cody Gibson has secured the last spot in “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 31 finale with another impressive first-round finish. Under the guidance of coach Michael Chandler, Gibson capitalized on a mistake made by Rico DiSciullo, who was coached by Conor McGregor, to secure a submission win. This victory has granted Gibson the opportunity to face former Team Chandler fighter Brad Katona in the bantamweight finale during the prelims at UFC 292 in Boston. Both Gibson and Katona have the chance to earn UFC contracts with a win.
During Episode 12, one of the most significant moments occurred when Gibson faced DiSciullo. Gibson had previously suffered a knee injury in his last fight against Mando Gutierrez. Despite concerns over the unfavorable matchup against the skilled striker DiSciullo, Gibson disregarded the odds. In the first round, DiSciullo slipped while throwing a punch, allowing Gibson to take advantage. Gibson quickly seized the opportunity, immediately taking control of the fight as soon as DiSciullo hit the mat. With relentless ground and pound strikes and submission attempts, Gibson eventually secured an arm-triangle choke to finish the fight.
Gibson’s Journey and TUF Season 31
Before his appearance in “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 31, Gibson fought under Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC in 2022. Additionally, he had previously been on the UFC roster from 2014 to 2015, where he experienced losses against Douglas Silva de Andrade and the current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Gibson’s upcoming bout against Katona, who is also a UFC veteran, adds an extra layer of intrigue due to the tension and exchange of words between the two fighters during the episode. Their clash promises to be an exciting matchup for fans.
Sometimes, being the last can have its advantages. Rico DiSciullo, one of the remaining members of Team McGregor in the semifinals, had the unique opportunity to receive one-on-one training with Conor McGregor himself. As the only semifinalist without any UFC experience, this was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for DiSciullo. During the training session, he impressed McGregor with his skills and even learned some new techniques. McGregor expressed his admiration for DiSciullo’s abilities, praising him as a phenomenal and calm fighter. Although DiSciullo fell short against Gibson, the experience remains valuable as he continues his journey towards cracking the UFC roster.
While some fans have been critical of McGregor’s coaching during this season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” there are unseen moments that demonstrate the appreciation and camaraderie within his team. During a dinner with the fighters, a toast was made by Carlos Vera, expressing gratitude towards McGregor and his staff. Vera acknowledged the perseverance, iron will, and strong fighting spirit displayed by McGregor throughout his UFC journey. In a final gesture, McGregor gave each of his fighters $1,000 worth of chips to a local Las Vegas casino, ending the season on a positive note.
In addition to the bantamweight finale between Gibson and Katona, the lightweight finale will feature Austin Hubbard against Kurt Holobaugh. Hubbard, with a record of 15-6 and a UFC record of 3-4, will face off against Holobaugh, who holds a record of 19-7 with a UFC record of 0-4. Both fighters bring considerable experience to the table, and this matchup promises to be an exciting clash in the TUF Season 31 finale.
Austin Hubbard, fighting out of Denver, Colorado, has shown his skill and determination with a solid UFC record. His last TUF fight resulted in a split decision victory over Roosevelt Roberts. On the other hand, Kurt Holobaugh, hailing from Denham Springs, Louisiana, has yet to secure a win in the UFC, maintaining an 0-4 record. However, Holobaugh displayed his power in his last TUF fight, defeating Jason Knight in the second round via knockout.
Brad Katona, fighting out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, holds a promising record of 13-2 with a UFC record of 2-2. In his last TUF fight, Katona secured a split decision victory against Timur Valiev. Cody Gibson, fighting out of Visalia, California, possesses a record of 19-8 with a UFC record of 1-3. Both Katona and Gibson have the opportunity to make a statement in the TUF Season 31 finale and potentially earn a spot on the UFC roster.
Cody Gibson’s first-round finish secured his place in “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 31 finale, where he will meet Brad Katona. The bantamweight and lightweight finales provide an exciting culmination to the season, giving fighters the chance to earn UFC contracts. While the perception of McGregor’s coaching may have its critics, the unseen moments of camaraderie and appreciation within the team showcase a different side. With the anticipation building, fans eagerly await the TUF Season 31 finale and the outcomes of the thrilling matchups.
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