“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 6 as a late comeback in this week’s matchup triggers a physical, post-bout altercation between the coaches.
On Episode 6, the matchup between Conor McGregor’s SBG Ireland teammate Lee Hammond and former UFC fighter Kurt Holobaugh ends in dramatic fashion.
The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.
Scroll below for a recap of Episode 6 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.
The impact of McGregor
Longtime teammates Conor McGregor and Hammond bond in a new capacity on the reality series.
McGregor teaches Hammond a combination he called “the nose-breaker.”
“Conor has shown me so much,” Hammond said. “He’s shown me that it’s possible to do what you put your mind to – when you really believe in yourself that anything is possible.”
Chandler drills visualization
Michael Chandler takes Holobaugh through physical training – then mental. He walks Holobaugh through visualization and tells him to picture the scene and what he’ll experience once in there.
'Another Conor no-show at weigh-ins'
Again, weigh-ins take place and McGregor is absent.
“Another Conor no-show at weigh-ins,” Chandler said. “For me, it’s always going to be important because I want my guys to see me there. I want to cut the weight with them, hold their hand if they need me to hold their hand, be there for them, wear the red (jersey) for them.”
“… I don’t know why Conor’s not here. Ultimately, I don’t know what message he’s sending to his team.”
The fight: Lee Hammond vs. Kurt Holobaugh
Almost immediately, Hammond takes Holobaugh to the canvas. Hammond postures up in guard and then returns to being close. Holobaugh squirms for a triangle off his back but Hammond deflects attempts. A little over two minutes after he hit the ground, Holobaugh works his way to the feet and clinches Hammond. Holobaugh tries a takedown of his own but Hammond reverses and ends up on top in side control, then half guard. During his time on the ground, Hammond intermittently sneaks in a hard ground-and-pound shot. Hammond sticks to Holobaugh like glue but isn’t able to advance position. Holobaugh briefly forces Hammond upward, but gives up his back briefly to end the round.
In between rounds, the roaming McGregor screams at Hammond to pull guard if he needs to. Hammond lands a nice jab and then a stepping knee. Holobaugh catches the knee and tries to dump Hammond, who pulls for a guillotine choke. Hammond used the attempt to roll on top of Holobaugh and into mount, though he released the submission. Holobaugh wiggled back into half guard. Hammond strained to slip his leg out and moved to side control. Holobaugh is bleeding on the bottom. While Hammond is dominating on the canvas, Holobaugh has stuffed every attempt for the Irishman to move to mount. Hammond lands a pair of punches and Holobaugh works for a leg. Holobaugh reverses position and grabs hold of Hammond’s neck. Holobaugh moves to mount and squeezes. The tap comes and McGregor crumples to his knees in disbelief.
Weight: Lightweight
Round: Quarterfinal
Team McGregor fighter: Lee Hammond (5-0)
Team Chandler fighter: Kurt Holobaugh (19-7)
Result: Kurt Holobaugh def. Lee Hammond via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2
The score: Team Chandler (6), Team McGregor (0)
All hell breaks loose – and McGregor gets violent
Watch the full McGregor vs. Chandler altercation here.
After the fight, a pissed off McGregor consoles Hammond and begins to berate Chandler with “Bellator” insults before the official decision.
McGregor gets in Chandler’s face. Chandler criticizes McGregor’s intermittent absence throughout the season’s events.
“Maybe if you showed up for them, maybe they’d show up here,” Chandler said.
McGregor returned, “I’ll show up and break your nose, you little fool ya. You little Bellator tick, you little tick.”
That’s when McGregor two-hand shoves Chandler in the face. Chandler giggles and screams as McGregor takes off his suit jacket.
UFC president Dana White breaks into a jog around the perimeter of the cage and enters it, as promotion workers stand in between.
Both fighters are escorted to the locker rooms. As he exits, Chandler walks by Team McGregor and tells the fighters, “I would’ve been there for you.”
“You’re all bums,” McGregor screamed at Team Chandler fighters Cody Gibson and Roosevelt Roberts as he walked away.
Next week's fight: Jason Knight vs. Landon Quinones
On Episode 7, lightweights Jason Knight and Landon Quinones square off, as Team McGregor still seeks its first victory.
