Bradley Devin Katona (born December 12, 1991) is a Canadian

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who competed in the

Bantamweight Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports and weightlifting. For boxing, the range is above and up to . In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between . In mixed martial arts, MMA, bantamweight is . The name for the class ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

(UFC). He is a former Brave CF Bantamweight Champion. He is also the only fighter to win ''

The Ultimate Fighter ''The Ultimate Fighter'' is an American reality television series and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pilgrim Media Group currently airing on ESPN+. It previously aired for fourteen s ...

'' twice, winning '' The Ultimate Fighter 27'' featherweight tournament and ''

The Ultimate Fighter 31 ''The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler'' (also known as ''The Ultimate Fighter 31'' and ''TUF 31'') was a 2023 installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)-produced reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter'' on ...

'' bantamweight tournament.

Personal life and background

Katona was born in

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

Manitoba Manitoba is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada at the Centre of Canada, longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's Population of Canada by province and territory, fifth-most populous province, with a population ...

, Canada. He started training in

karate (; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ), also , is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tī'' in Okinawan) un ...

at the age of five and earned his black belt at the age of 14. Katona graduated from Dakota Collegiate. He started Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. In 2011, Katona fought and won in the Canadian

Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves of America is an organization that promotes annual competitions of amateur boxing in the United States, in which winners are awarded a belt and a ring, and the title of national champion. The organization currently owns 30 fr ...

championship and the Ringside World Championships in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

. He earned a degree in

mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines and mechanism (engineering), mechanisms that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and engineering mathematics, mathematics principl ...

from the

University of Manitoba The University of Manitoba (U of M, UManitoba, or UM) is a public research university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1877, it is the first university of Western Canada. Both by total student enrolment and campus area, the University of ...

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Katona began competing in mixed martial arts in 2010 earning an amateur record of 3–0. After turning professional, he competed in smaller promotions, earning himself an unbeaten record of 6–0. Katona earned a degree as a mechanical engineer before deciding to focus fully on his MMA career in 2016. In 2017, he moved to Dublin to train with Straight Blast Gym Ireland under coach John Kavanagh.

''The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated''

In November 2017, it was announced that Katona would be a cast member on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated'' competing in the featherweight tournament. On the show, Katona first defeated

Kyler Phillips Kyler John Phillips (born June 12, 1995) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of August 27, 2024, he is #12 in the UFC bantamweight ra ...

via majority decision and in the semi-finals he defeated

Bryce Mitchell Bryce Andrew Mitchell (born October 4, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Mitchell appeared in the reality television series ...

via third round submission (rear-naked choke). Katona then went on to win the final against Jay Cucciniello via a unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. In doing so he became the third Canadian in the show's history to win the tournament and is also the first Canadian to win the competition outside of the TUF: Nations tournament format.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Returning to bantamweight, Katona faced

Matthew Lopez Matthew Lopez may refer to: * Matthew López (writer) (born 1977), American playwright and screenwriter * Matthew Lopez (fighter) (born 1987), American mixed martial artist * Matthew Lopez (art researcher) (born 1993), Filipino art researcher, ...

in a bout on December 8, 2018, at

UFC 231 ''UFC 231: Holloway vs. Ortega'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on December 8, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Background A UFC Featherweight Championship bout between M ...

. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Katona next faced

Merab Dvalishvili Merab Dvalishvili ( ka, მერაბ დვალიშვილი ; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian and American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championsh ...

on May 4, 2019, at

UFC on ESPN+ 9 ''UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 9'' and ''UFC Vegas'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 30, 2020 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, p ...

Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

, Canada. Katona would lose the fight via unanimous decision. Katona faced

Hunter Azure Hunter Azure (born March 2, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Azure was born on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar ...

on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje. Despite moments of success Katona would lose the fight via unanimous decision. Katona was released by the UFC on February 11, 2020. After going 2–2 in the promotion.

Brave Combat Federation

In September 2020, it was reported that Katona signed with Elite MMA Championship (EMC) and he was scheduled to meet Stipe Brčić on October 31, 2020, in the co-main event of EMC 6. However, the event was postponed due to the

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

pandemic. Katona faced Borislav Nikolić on April 1, 2021, at Brave CF 50. At weigh-ins, Katona came in 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) over the bantamweight limit and was fined a percentage of his purse which went to his opponent. He won by guillotine in the third round. Katona faced Bair Shtepin on August 21, 2021, at Brave CF 53. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Katona defeated Hamza Kooheji on March 11, 2022, at Brave CF 57 for the vacant BRAVE CF Bantamweight Championship.

The Ultimate Fighter 31

In March 2023, it was announced that Katona would make his second appearance on

, fighting in the bantamweight division. He was selected as a part of Team Chandler. In the quarterfinal Katona faced Carlos Vera, and won the fight via unanimous decision. He switched to Team McGregor in the semi-finals. In the semi-final round, Katona faced former teammate

Timur Valiev Timur Arsenovich Valiev (born January 19, 1990) is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). Valiev previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Professio ...

, and won the fight via split decision. Katona faced former teammate

Cody Gibson Cody Gibson (born September 11, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, in 1987, Gibson and his brother Keith were a ...

in the tournament final on August 19, 2023, at

UFC 292 ''UFC 292: Sterling vs. O'Malley'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 19, 2023, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Background The event marked the promot ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision to win the tournament and become the only TUF fighter to win twice. The bout also won the '' Fight of the Night'' award.

Return to UFC

Katona faced Garrett Armfield on January 20, 2024, at

UFC 297 ''UFC 297: Strickland vs. du Plessis'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on January 20, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Background The event marked the promotion' ...

. He lost the bout by unanimous decision. Katona faced Jesse Butler on June 8, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 57. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Katona faced Jean Matsumoto on October 19, 2024 at

UFC Fight Night 245 ''UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 245'', ''UFC on ESPN+ 103'' and ''UFC Vegas 99'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on October 19, 2024, at t ...

. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Katona faced

Bekzat Almakhan Bekzat Almakhan (Kazakh: Бекзат Алмахан, bekˈzɑt ɑlˈmɑˈhɑn; born October 8, 1997) is a Kazakh professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). ...

on May 10, 2025 at

UFC 315 ''UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Background The event marked the promotion's ...

. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round. On June 17, 2025, it was reported that Katona was no longer on the UFC roster.

Championships and accomplishments

** The Ultimate Fighter 27 Featherweight Tournament Winner ** The Ultimate Fighter 31 Bantamweight Tournament Winner *** First and only 2-time winner of The Ultimate Fighter ** Fight of the Night (One time) **UFC.com Awards ***2018: Ranked #6 Newcomer of the Year *

Brave Combat Federation BRAVE Combat Federation is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Bahrain. The organization was established on 23 September 2016 by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. BRAVE Combat Federation features mixed martial artists from more than ...

** BRAVE CF Bantamweight Championship (One time) ***One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 14–5 ,

, KO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:04 ,

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–4 , Jean Matsumoto , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–3 , Jesse Butler , Decision (unanimous) , UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville is the List of cities in Kentucky, most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeastern United States, Southeast, and the list of United States cities by population, 27th-most-populous city ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 13–3 , Garrett Armfield , Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Toronto, Ontario Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 13–2 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Boston, Massachusetts Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–2 , Gamzat Magomedov , Decision (unanimous) , Brave CF 63 , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Isa Town Isa Town (, ''Madīnat ʿĪsā'') is a middle class town located in Bahrain, in the north central part of the country. Etymology The name ''Isa'' refers to Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifah, a former ruler of Bahrain, from 1961 to 1999. History Isa To ...

, Bahrain , , - , Win , align=center, 11–2 , Hamza Kooheji , Decision (split) , Brave CF 57 , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Bahrain , , - , Win , align=center, 10–2 , Bair Shtepin , Decision (unanimous) , Brave CF 53 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Almaty Almaty, formerly Alma-Ata, is the List of most populous cities in Kazakhstan, largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population exceeding two million residents within its metropolitan area. Located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains ...

, Kazakhstan , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 , Borislav Nikolić , Submission (guillotine choke) , Brave CF 50 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:40 , Arad, Bahrain , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–2 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 8–0 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 7–0 , Jay Cucciniello , Decision (unanimous) , The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–0 , Stephen Cervantes , Decision (unanimous) , Mercenary Combat League 1 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 , Austin Ryan , Submission (kneebar) , XFFC 13: Future Stars , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:49 ,

Grande Prairie, Alberta Grande Prairie is a city in northwestern Alberta, Canada, within the southern portion of an area known as Peace River Country. It is located at the intersection of Highway 43 (part of the CANAMEX Corridor) and Highway 40 (the Bighorn Highwa ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Patrick Ward , Decision (unanimous) , Havoc FC 11 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Red Deer, Alberta Red Deer is a city in Alberta, Canada, located midway on the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor. Red Deer serves central Alberta, and its key industries include health care, retail trade, construction, oil and gas, hospitality, manufacturing and educati ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Josh Rich , Decision (unanimous) , Prestige FC 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Regina, Saskatchewan Regina ( ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province, and is a commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. As of the 2021 Canadian census, ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Myles Anderson , Submission (guillotine choke) , Prestige FC 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:12 ,

Weyburn, Saskatchewan Weyburn is the tenth-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada. The city has a population of 11,019. It is on the Souris River southeast of the provincial capital of Regina and is north from the North Dakota border in the United States. The na ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Michael Hay , KO (punch) , MFC 41: All In , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:47 ,

Edmonton, Alberta Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

, Canada , , -

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

, Win , align=center, 4–0 ,

, Decision (split) , rowspan=2, The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler , (airdate) , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , rowspan=4,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Carlos Vera , Decision (unanimous) , (airdate) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , rowspan=2, The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated , (airdate) , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:17 , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 ,

, Decision (majority) , (airdate) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Katona, Brad 1991 births Canadian male mixed martial artists Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing Shotokan Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Living people Martial artists from Winnipeg Canadian male karateka Canadian male sport wrestlers Amateur wrestlers Canadian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters People from St. Vital, Winnipeg 21st-century Canadian sportsmen

Personal life and background

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

''The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated''

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Brave Combat Federation

The Ultimate Fighter 31

Return to UFC

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

See also

References

External links