TUF 31: Who is Kurt Holobaugh?
With TUF 31 set to premiere on May 30, 2023, we take a deep dive into knowing lightweight fighter Kurt Holobaugh.
At the age of 36, American fighter Kurt Holobaugh will look to give it his all in the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. Competing at lightweight, Holobaugh will aim to secure a contract that allows him to re-enter the UFC in what could be his one final opportunity.
Holobaugh has already competed in the UFC on four occasions. While he made his promotional debut in a loss against Steven Siler at UFC 159, Holobaught later went on a dream run in Titan FC, which also saw him become the Titan FC featherweight champion.
After losing his 145-pound Titan FC crown, the 36-year-old moved up a weight class and won the Titan FC lightweight championship. Holobaugh's impressive run in Titan FC earned him a shot in Dana White's Contender Series. Facing Matt Bessette at featherweight, Holobaugh put up an impressive performance and won by KO. However, the bout was later turned into a no-contest due to the use of IV by Holobaugh, and the fighter also received a nine-month suspension.
However, due to his impressive performance on DWCS, the UFC gave Holobaugh an opportunity at UFC Boise. Facing Raoni Barcelos, Holobaugh went on to lose the fight in the third round but won the Fight of the Night bonus.
After his loss to Barcelos, things took a turn for the worse for Holobaugh, who went on to lose two consecutive fights in the UFC to Shane Burgos and Thiago Moises. Following his loss to Moises, the UFC cut Holobaugh from the roster, and now with an opportunity in TUF 31, Holobaugh will look to prove that he belongs among the elite in the UFC.
TUF 31 see Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler don the role of coaches
For fighters like Holobaugh who are looking to make a comeback in the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter, inspiration is one thing they need the most. And when it comes to inspiration, the fighters in TUF 31 won't be short of it as they are set to be coached by UFC fighters Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.
After an absence since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, McGregor finally makes his return to MMA with a coaching stint on TUF 31 against Chandler. However, that is not all. After the show ends, both McGregor and Chandler will face each other in a place and time that is yet to be disclosed.
Next. UFC rules explained. dark