Ultimate Fighter season 31 fighters are Mando Gutierrez, Trevor Wells, Carlos Vera, and Hunter Azure in the Men's Bantamweights.
Likewise, Irish MMA fighter Lee Hammond, with a clean record of 5-0, will participate in the Men's Lightweight division alongside Kurt Holobaugh, Aaron McKenzie, Jason Knight, and others.
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) is a TV reality show where skilled MMA fighters from different backgrounds and experience levels come together to battle it out. They nestle together in Las Vegas, Nevada, and undergo intense training while competing against each other.
First aired in January 2005 on Spike TV, the brand new season of the UT is hitting the TV screens from May 30, 2023, onward, and all the episodes will be broadcast every Tuesday on ESPN and ESPN+ in the United States.
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, who will face each other in the Octagon this year, are coaches for the TUF 31.
TUF 31 Roster After Episode 1
TUF Roster for season 31 are listed below:
Men's Bantamweights [135]
- Cody Gibson [19-8]
- Timur Valiev [18-3]
- Brad Katona [12-2]
- Carlos Vera [12-3]
- Rico DiSciullo [11-2]
- Hunter Azure [10-3]
- Mando Gutierrez [8-2]
- Trevor Wells [8-3]
Men's Lightweight [155]
- Jason Knight [22-7]
- Kurt Holobaugh [19-7]
- Nate Jennerman [16-5]
- Austin Hubbard [15-6]
- Roosevelt Roberts [12-3]
- Aaron McKenzie [11-2-1]
- Landon Quinones [7-1-1]
- Lee Hammond [5-0]
Ep 1 of The Ultimate Fighter aired on May 30 on ESPN, revealing the names of the competitors who will be participating in the tournament.
Moreover, specific matchups between the fighters have also been announced. Dana White, the UFC head, warmly welcomed McGregor, Chandler, and all the participants of The Ultimate Fighter 31.
The TUF is packed with talented combats in the bantamweight and lightweight divisions, such as Brad Katona, Cody Gibson, Jason Knight, Kurt Holobaugh, and more.
At the UFC Apex, coaches McGregor and Chandler came together to talk about a possible upcoming match between the two.
TUF 31 Schedule
- Episode 1: May 30, 2023, | 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT on ESPN
- After TUF Live: May 30, 2023 | 11 PM ET |7 PM PT on ESPN+ and ESPNMMA YouTube
- New episodes premiere each Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, followed by After TUF show
The 31st season of the popular MMA reality show, TUF, titled "The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler," debuted on Tuesday, May 30, at 10 p.m. ET.
In addition to the regular episodes, ESPN+ will air a show called "After TUF" at 11 p.m. ET, following each new episode. Hosted by Din Thomas, a UFC coach, analyst, and former TUF contestant, the show will recap and discuss the events of each episode.
Din will be joined by Coach Chandler, former TUF contestants, and other UFC personalities as co-hosts. The winner of each episode will also be part of the show. Fans can also catch all episodes of "After TUF" on the ESPNMMA YouTube channel.
Who are in The Ultimate Fighter Season 31 Team McGregor?
TUF 31 team McGregor includes
| Bantamweights | Lightweights |
| Carlos Vera | Aaron McKenzie |
| Mando Gutierrez | Landon Quiñones |
| Rico DiSciullo | Lee Hammond |
| Trevor Wells | Nate Jennerman |
Starting with the Bantamweight division, four fighters from McGregor's side will battle against Team Chandler in the quarterfinal.
Bantamweight matchups:
- Mando Gutierrez vs Cody Gibson
- Trevor Wells vs Timur Valiev
- Hunter Azure vs Rico DiSciullo
- Carlos Vera vs Brad Katona
The Mexican professional MMA Gutierrez has only lost in two games in his ten fighting appearances, winning in eight. Nicknamed El Toro, the 26-year-old last fight was in October 2022 at WXC.
Carlos Vera will go head-to-head against the former UFC combatant Brad Katona. Vera, a native of Manabi, Ecuador, is in excellent form, winning five of his last six bouts. He defeated Isaiah Gutierrez to make it 12-3 at the Fury FC 69 in September 2022.
It is a no-brainer that compared to Conor, Michael has more experienced fighters on his team. Roosevelt Roberts has advanced to the semifinal of the Lightweight competition after winning against Nate Jennerman by TKO.
Lee Hammond, a 27-year-old lightweight prospect from England, will face Kurt Holobaugh in the second Round of 16 matches. Hammond is a former amateur boxing champion and has a perfect 5-0 record in MMA, known for his robust striking and his ability to finish fights.
On the other hand, Team McGregor is fortunate to land veteran MMA Aaron McKenzie, a 34-year-old lightweight prospect from Canada.
McKenzie has a record of 11-2-1 in MMA and is a former Muay Thai champion, LFA 155 World champion, and has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
TUF 31 Team Chandler Lineup
TUF 31 Lineup for the Team Chandler is:
| Bantamweights | Lightweights |
| Brad Katona | Austin Hubbard |
| Cody Gibson | Jason Knight |
| Hunter Azure | Kurt Holobaugh |
| Timur Valiev | Roosevelt Roberts |
Similarly, Chandler's coaching staff consists of the following:
- Assistant Coach - Ryan Bader
- Jiu Jitsu Coach - Robert Drysdale
- Striking Coach - Jason Strout
- Wrestling Coach - Greg Jones
The TUF 31 is not a new experience for Canadian athlete Katona as he appeared in The Ultimate Fighter 27 in 2018, eventually clinching the featherweight division.
Katona is a black belt in Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Thus, he possesses a diverse skill set and a range of strengths in both striking and grappling. With his impressive versatility, stand-up defense, and ground control, Brad is a nightmare for any rival.
Cody Gibson, with an MMA record of 19-8, adds a valuable experience to the Chandler TUF squad. The former UFC Bantamweight competitor Gibson joined Team Chandler in March 2023, and it will be his first time partaking in the Ultimate Fighter.
Austin Hubbard, a resilient lightweight fighter fighting under the banner of Team Chandler, embodies the true spirit of a warrior. Known for his exceptional cardio, Hubbard never fails to bring an intense pace to his fights. He has 15 wins and 6 losses in his 21 MMA bouts.
Another gem representing Team Chandler is Roosevelt Roberts, a dynamic and versatile lightweight who brings a unique blend of athleticism and creativity to the Octagon.
Roberts is known for his flashy striking techniques and capability to switch between different martial arts disciplines seamlessly. Roosevelt has advanced to the semifinal of TUF 31 lightweight and will face the winner of Hammond and Holobaugh.
Kurt Holobaugh, a tenacious lightweight competitor, combines relentless aggression with technical prowess. His no-nonsense approach to fighting and ability to adapt to any situation make him a formidable opponent for anyone in the lightweight division.
