“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 3 and included an amazing battle to close things out.
Episode 3 likewise included a quite cool minute inbetween Conor McGregor and a young UFC fan.
The season runs till Aug. 15 with the live ending anticipated lateron this year. The promo likewise means on coaches McGregor and Michael Chandler squaring off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.
Scroll listedbelow for a wrap-up of Episode 3 and make sure to check out an unique expert appearance from TUF 31 cast member Kurt Holobaugh, who will peel back the drape on MMA Junkie the earlymorning after each episode airs.
McKenzie’s battle strategy
To kick off the episode, McGregor is singing and in a excellent stateofmind as they prepare for Aaron McKenzie’s battle with Austin Hubbard. McKenzie is focused on getting inside Hubbard’s punching variety to take him down because Brazilian jiu-jitsu is his specialized. McKenzie is the present LFA light-weight champion, while Hubbard was the LFA 155-pound champ priorto him.
“He’s cold, he’s calm, he’s computed,” McGregor states of McKenzie. “A lot of individuals talk about speed or power. People wear’t talk about peace enough.”
‘Life’s kicking my butt every corner’
Back at the home, Hubbard talks about the pressure of being effective since of his household. He gets psychological speaking about the current death of his bro and how he and his betterhalf lost a child.
“It’s simply been a continuous bad story, I’ll state,” Hubbard states. “Life’s kicking my butt every corner, it appears like, so to have this chance is substantial.”
Hubbard talks about his task working for a remediation business and having a 13-year-old child. Hubbard went 3-4 in his previous UFC stint priorto he was cut in2022 “This chance would be big for me. It’s my possibility at redemption,” he states.
Both Chandler and Hubbard speak withconfidence about the match versus McKenzie.
“He’s larger, he’s faster, he’s morepowerful, he’s more gifted, he’s more well rounded, and he shouldhave it more,” Chandler states.
Hubbard includes: “I feel like I can do it all, and I can hold my own with the finest in the world. I constantly have an benefit, in a sense, since I can mix it up so well. … I puton’t anticipate him bringing anything to the table that I sanctuary’t currently seen or experienced. I constantly come prepared, so he will requirement to bring his A-game to have any possibility.”
$1,200 for toys?!?
UFC president Dana White describes how McGregor came throughout a young fan who makes his own action figures. McGregor saw them on social media and desired to satisfy him. The youngboy’s name is Samuel Romero, who rode with his household from California to Las Vegas. Romero states he’s been making his own action figures from the parts of different figures and painting them for 4 years. McGregor enjoys them, so he takes a coupleof of himself off Romero’s hands for his kids.
McGregor pulls out a fat heap of hundred-dollar costs and pays Romero $1,200 for the toys.
The youngboy’s mouth drops in shock.
Not bad, kid!
Hubbard vs. McKenzie weigh-in
It’s weigh-in day, and Hubbard ideas the scale at 156 pounds, while McKenzie signsup 155.5 for McKenzie.
Fight day getshere with both guys primed and prepared.
“I wear’t believe there’s anyperson that can shut my videogame down. I’m gonna take Austin’s will to battle,” McKenzie states. …
“When I close my eyes and imagine this battle, it’s constantly me getting my hand raised at the end,” Hubbard states.
The battle: Aaron McKenzie vs. Austin Hubbard
Weight: Lightweight
Round: Quarterfinal
Team McGregor fighter: Aaron McKenzie
Team Chandler fighter: Austin Hubbard
Result: Austin Hubbard def. Aaron McKenzie through consentaneous choice
In Round 1, McKenzie gets control in the veryfirst round, landing some good shots priorto clinching with Hubbard versus the cage. McKenzie controls the back for about a minute however can’t get Hubbard down. He then gets too high, which permits Hubbard to escape out the back. Now Hubbard has his back standing, however McKenzie turns into him and they different rapidly. Both guys toss good punches in the center of the cage. Hubbard lands the finest punch of the round with about a minute left, a huge uppercut that stuns McKenzie and permits Hubbard on leading, drizzling down punches and elbows. McKenzie is bloodied up. It’s a dominant method to surface the round for Hubbard.
Both guys come out strongly in the opening minute of the 2nd round. McKenzie is land