The Ultimate Fighter aired the sixth episode of Season 31 this week, with Team McGregor protege Lee Hammond suffering a heartbreaking loss against Team Chandler veteran Kurt Holobaugh. We also finally got to see the physical altercation between McGregor and Chandler that has been used across all of TUF 31’s promotional footage. Read our recap of Episode 6 below.
Read our recap of The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler Episode 5 here.
The Fighters
Lee Hammond (5-0-0), the #1 ranked Team McGregor Lightweight prospect, enters TUF 31 as possibly the most intriguing fighter on the entire roster. Following an extensive amateur MMA career, Hammond turned professional in 2021 and earned five career wins in just over 12 months. Somewhat controversially, Hammond was parachuted into TUF 31 at the request of McGregor, with both men training out of SBG Ireland. He now faces the tough test of living up to the hype of being a McGregor protege.
Across from Hammond will be #4 ranked Team Chandler veteran Kurt Holobaugh (19-7-0, 1NC, 0-4-0 UFC), who enters TUF 31 looking to earn the rare distinction of having three separate runs in the UFC. After fighting in the UFC once in 2013, Holobaugh returned to the UFC roster in 2017 with a win on Season 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series. However, Holobaugh was again cut from the UFC after three straight losses. In his past two bouts, he has secured back-to-back knockout victories on the regional scene.
Everything You Need to Know About The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler
The Fight
With much of the buildup to the fight about Hammond’s relationship with McGregor and Holobaugh’s ups and downs throughout his extensive career, the fight was possibly the most anticipated this season. The fight opened up with Hammond catching a Holobaugh leg kick and dragging him to the ground. From there, the two men went back and forth on the ground, with beautiful scrambles from both. After some dangerous submission attempts from Hoobaugh, Hammond maintained top control for the rest of the round. 1-0 Hammond.
The second round opened with Hammond and Holobaugh exchanging jabs before a Hammond knee led to Holobaugh shooting for the takedown. Hammond then executed a beautiful sweep, threatening a guillotine choke which ended up with him in mount. From there, Hammond controlled Holobaugh from the top position, landing solid ground and pound. But with two minutes left in the round, Holobaugh fought out, ending up on top after a crafty scramble.
After the best two rounds from a Team McGregor fighter all season and Hammond seemingly on his way to a decision victory, disaster struck. Holobaugh caught Hammon in a guillotine, which Hammond did his best to fight out of but eventually tapped to the submission. Needing a finish to win the fight, Holobaugh showed the toughness and resilience expected of a veteran with his experience, pulling out another victory for Team Chandler.
The Altercation
In absolute agony, McGregor fell to his knees following his teammate’s loss, which marked the sixth loss of the season for Team McGregor. McGregor then rushed into the cage to support Hammond. After the decision was read, we saw McGregor getting increasingly frustrated, eventually confronting Chandler and shoving him in the face before Hammond, Ryan Bader, and Dana White broke the two men up.
Next week, #4 ranked Team McGregor prospect Landon Quinones (7-1-1) will face #1 ranked Team Chandler veteran Jason Knight (23-7-0, 4-5-0 UFC) and hope to get the first win for Team McGregor.
Read our recap of The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler Episode 5 here.