The Ultimate Fighter is the reason the UFC still exists. The reality TV show co-produced by Zuffa is based upon a simple premise- two UFC stars coach rival teams of eight non-UFC mixed martial artists, with both teams competing in a tournament format. The winners are signed to the UFC. Many superstars such as Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Michael Bisping, and Forrest Griffin, have come into the promotion by that route. In its heyday, TUF was a phenomenon that helped the sport break into the mainstream.

“It’s amazing to think…. how close we came to not being here today. If it weren’t for what these guys did, I don’t know if there would even be a UFC. I’ll never forget these guys. Ever,” UFC CEO Dana White would say of the TV show. Its alumni had an edge in recognizability and hype among fans even before their first fight at the promotion. It was, therefore, surprising when TUF 27 winner Brad Katona was cut from the promotion in 2020.

Brad Katona back in the UFC after 2020 exit

In 2018, then-heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier appeared as rival head coaches on season 27 of The Ultimate Fighter. Among Cormier’s team members was Brad Katona, who was in the featherweight bracket.

Katona went on to defeat team Miocic’s Jay Cucciniello in the finale of the season and was signed to the UFC. He won his next fight against Matthew Lopez at UFC 231 to take his pro MMA record to 8-0. However, he ran into an up-and-coming Merab Dvalishvili in his next fight at UFC Fight Night 151. The Georgian snapped his undefeated streak with a unanimous decision in the third round victory over Katona.

The Canadian fell to Hunter Azure in his next fight in 2019. Despite his impressive skills and potential, the UFC decided to cut Katona from its roster, which surprised and dismayed many. Katona, however, was not discouraged.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity that the UFC gave me, but I’m not defined by one organization. I know I belong among the best in the world and I’m ready to prove it” he said in an interview to MMA Fighting following his exit. And now, he has another opportunity to prove this after he was re-signed by the UFC last year.

Katona sets his sights on the bantamweight title

Katona went on to join Brave CF and won all four of his fights. In another twist, however, he appeared on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter last year, this time on team Michael Chandler, but switched to his SBG stablemate Conor McGregor’s team in the semi-final.

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The bantamweight went undefeated, and won a unanimous decision victory over Cody Gibson in the finale at UFC 292. The two-time TUF winner now has his eyes set on the bantamweight title. He will face Garrett Armfield on the main card of the UFC’s first PPV event of the year at UFC 297 on January 20.

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