Conor McGregor walked into the UFC Apex wearing a tailored suit and a grin that suggested he already owned the place. It had been nearly two years since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier, and the MMA world was starving for a glimpse of the "Mac" era's return. But The Ultimate Fighter 31 wasn't just another season of reality TV; it was a high-stakes experiment in nostalgia and relevance.
You had the biggest star in the history of the sport coaching against Michael Chandler, a man who basically breathes intensity and backflips. On paper? Pure gold. In reality, the season became a strange, sometimes awkward, but ultimately fascinating look at the gap between the UFC's "old guard" and the hungry prospects trying to claw their way into a six-figure contract.
The Veterans vs. Prospects Twist
Most people expected the typical TUF format where we see sixteen unknowns fighting for a dream. Instead, the UFC threw a curveball for the thirty-first installment. They split the teams into "Prospects"—young, undefeated, or lightly-tested fighters—and "Veterans," guys who had already been in the UFC, got cut, and were desperate for a second chance.
It was kind of heartbreaking to watch, honestly.
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You had guys like Roosevelt Roberts and Kurt Holobaugh who knew exactly what they were fighting for. They’d felt the lights of the Octagon before. They’d also felt the sting of the release letter. Watching them go up against kids who were just happy to be on camera created this weirdly heavy atmosphere. It wasn't just about winning a trophy; it was about career resurrection.
The results were lopsided. Like, really lopsided.
McGregor’s team of prospects started the season getting absolutely demolished. It became a running joke online. Episode after episode, Chandler’s veterans used their "man strength" and cage experience to shut down the younger guys. It was a stark reminder that in MMA, there is no substitute for having "been there."
The McGregor Effect (Or Lack Thereof)
Let’s be real: people tuned in for Conor. They wanted the "Who the f*** is that guy?" energy. And we got glimpses of it. The shove in the Octagon between him and Chandler was the peak of the season’s drama. McGregor’s coaching style was... unique. He’d show up in his own gear, give some technical advice that was actually pretty brilliant—he’s a much better tactical coach than people give him credit for—and then disappear into the ether of his own brand.
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But as the losses piled up for Team McGregor, you could see the frustration. He wasn't used to losing. He’s a guy who built an empire on winning. Seeing his "kids" get choked out or ground down by Chandler’s vets clearly bothered him.
Chandler, meanwhile, was the ultimate "Coach Mike." He was there early. He was there late. He was doing drills with them. It was a clash of philosophies. One coach was a global icon who treated the show like a guest appearance; the other treated it like a world title camp.
That Viral Face-Off and the Fight That Never Was (For a While)
The tension peaked when McGregor and Chandler finally snapped. If you saw the footage, you know. Conor shoved Chandler in the face during a heated argument in the cage. Dana White had to run in like a disappointed dad to break it up.
That moment was supposed to be the springboard for the biggest fight of 2023. Or 2024. Or... well, we know how that went. The irony of The Ultimate Fighter 31 is that the "coaches' fight" became one of the longest-running sagas in UFC history. Between USADA drug testing issues and Conor’s Hollywood press tour for Road House, the actual payoff for the fans who sat through 12 weeks of reality TV was delayed for what felt like an eternity.
Who Actually Won?
If you missed the finale, the veterans basically ran the table.
- Brad Katona made history. He became the first person to ever win The Ultimate Fighter twice. Think about that. He won Season 27, got cut from the UFC after a couple of losses, went back to the regional scenes, and then fought his way through Season 31 to get his job back.
- Kurt Holobaugh took the lightweight crown. His submission win over Austin Hubbard was a masterclass in grit.
These weren't flashy 21-year-olds with TikTok followings. They were "blue-collar" fighters. It proved that the UFC’s experiment worked, even if it wasn't the result the marketing team probably wanted. The veterans showed that the gap between "good" and "UFC caliber" is massive.
Why This Season Actually Matters for the UFC's Future
The UFC is at a crossroads. They produce more content than ever before. With the Apex in Las Vegas, they have a factory for fights. But The Ultimate Fighter 31 showed that fans still care about the story.
We didn't care about the prospects because we didn't know them. We cared about the veterans because we remembered their failures. We cared about McGregor because we wondered if he still had "it."
The ratings weren't the highest in the show's history, but the social media engagement was through the roof. It changed how the UFC thinks about casting. You'll notice that recent seasons and The Contender Series are leaning harder into these emotional "second chance" narratives.
Surprising Details You Might Have Missed
- The Weight Cut Drama: Several fighters struggled with the grueling schedule of fighting multiple times in a few weeks. People forget how hard it is on the body to "make weight" three times in a month.
- Conor's Technical Nuggets: In the quiet moments, McGregor was teaching "lead hand" control and specific angles that are actually high-level striking concepts. It showed he hasn't lost his mind for the game, even if his lifestyle has changed.
- The "Team Switch" Scandal: Brad Katona actually switched teams mid-season to train with McGregor because they are teammates at SBG Ireland in real life. It caused a massive rift in the house.
Actionable Takeaways for MMA Fans
If you’re looking to get the most out of following TUF-style reality sports or the fighters that come out of them, here’s how to track the fallout of Season 31:
- Follow the "Vets" on Socials: Guys like Kurt Holobaugh and Roosevelt Roberts are active. Following their journey after the show gives you a much better perspective on why the UFC is so cutthroat.
- Watch for the SBG Connection: Pay attention to how McGregor interacts with his actual teammates versus the "prospects" he was assigned. It explains a lot about his loyalty and why Team McGregor felt so fractured.
- Look at the Fight Stats: If you go back and watch the Season 31 fights, look at the "control time." The veterans didn't always win by being faster; they won by being "heavier" in the clinch and on the ground. It’s a lesson in wrestling fundamentals over flashy striking.
The Ultimate Fighter 31 wasn't perfect. It was messy, the coaching was lopsided, and the promised McGregor vs. Chandler fight turned into a multi-year waiting game. But as a character study of what it takes to survive in the world’s toughest sport, it was arguably one of the most honest seasons we’ve ever seen. It stripped away the hype and showed that, at the end of the day, experience is the only currency that really matters in the cage.
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Check the current UFC roster to see where the Season 31 finalists are ranked now; several have already moved into the top 15 or 20 of their respective divisions, proving that the "re-tread" fighters were actually the elite talent all along.