‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,’ Episode 10 recap: Blood pours everywhere at the UFC Apex #TUF31

With Katona choosing to jump to Team McGregor, he says farewell to his Team Chandler coaching staff.

“I just appreciate everything. I know it’s not goodbye or anything like that,” Katona said as he embraced Chandler.

Chandler explained why he was at peace with the departure.

“I truly think each individual deserves to be put in the best scenario for themselves,” Chandler said.

After departing Team Chandler, Katona receives a warm welcome from his new Team McGregor teammates – as well as coach McGregor, his longtime teammate outside of “TUF.”

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev stops by a Valiev training session and voices his support.

“I knew Timur many, many years,” Makhachev said. “We trained together many times. He’s a hard worker and he really deserves to be in the UFC because he is a professional.”

Katona and Valiev are each permitted a 10-minute video call with a loved one.

Katona calls his girlfriend and reads her a passage he wrote in his journal one night about her.

Valiev calls his mother, who updates him on how the family is doing.

Katona comes out jabbing and then lands a hard punch. He’s pushing the action. Valiev fires a leg kick that echoes throughout the venue. Katona moves in on Valiev and shoots for a takedown against the fence. He gets it, but is absolutely gushing from a quick strike. There is blood leaking all over the canvas. Valiev pushes him away and scrambles up to the feet. They’re both already covered in blood. Valiev lands a high kick on Katona’s face, to which UFC president Dana White says, “How the f*ck did he eat that?” Katona lands a hard punch. Katona lands another combination, and another. Valiev returns to the leg kick. Katona throws a kick and Valiev catches it. Valiev drags Katona down and tries to take his back. Katona gets back to his feet, but Valiev is leaning on him against the cage. Valiev briefly dumps Katona down. Katona pops up and they exchange strikes as the horn sounds.

In Round 2, Katona comes out firing again. Valiev throws a series of kicks and briefly attempts a takedown before pulling up. They clinch in the middle of the cage and exchange knees. They break. Valiev kicks more as the blood pours down the right side of Katona’s face. Katona lands two slick left hooks. Referee Keith Peterson warns the fighters for nearly clashing heads while moving forward. Valiev lands a spinning back kick in the midst of another series of leg kicks. Right at the end of the round, Valiev lands a slick judo throw.

Entering the final round, it could be anyone’s fight. McGregor barks at Katona to use his backhand. Again Katona pushes the pace early. Valiev fires back. Katona lands a hard punch. Valiev lands two kicks. Katona comes over the top with a big right hand, then lands a beautiful left on Valiev as he closes. Valiev shoots for a takedown against the fence. He gets it. There is a ton of blood. Katona slowly works his way to the feet, but Valiev is leaning on him. Katona wiggles away. Back in the center, Katona lands a left hand. Valiev shoots but Katona stuffs. Valiev takes a big breath. Both men land. Katona grabs hold of a single leg and walks Valiev back to the fence. Katona lands body shots and the fighters break as the horn sounds. That was a fun action fight.

Weight: Bantamweight

Round: Semifinal (three rounds)

Team Chandler fighter 1: Brad Katona (12-2)

Team Chandler fighter 2: Timur Valiev (18-3)

Result: Brad Katona def. Timur Valiev via split decision

In the second bantamweight semifinal, Team Chandler lightweights Kurt Holobaugh and Jason Knight slug it out in what Dana White calls the best fight of the season.