Brad Katona

Brad Katona (born December 12, 1991) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Brave CF Bantamweight Champion. He is also the only fighter to win The Ultimate Fighter twice, winning The Ultimate Fighter 27 featherweight tournament and The Ultimate Fighter 31 bantamweight tournament.

Personal life and background
Katona was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He started training in karate at the age of five and earned his black belt at the age of 14. Katona graduated from Dakota Collegiate, where he competed in wrestling.

He started Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. In 2011, Katona fought and won in the Canadian Golden Gloves championship and the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, Missouri.

He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Manitoba.

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 via majority decision and in the semi-finals he defeated Bryce Mitchell 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 in a bout on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Katona next faced Merab Dvalishvili on May 4, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 9 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Katona would lose the fight via unanimous decision.

Katona faced Hunter Azure 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 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 The Ultimate Fighter, 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, and won the fight via split decision.

Katona faced former teammate Cody Gibson in the tournament final on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292. 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. 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.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * 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) vs. Cody Gibson
 * Brave Combat Federation
 * BRAVE CF Bantamweight Championship (One time)
 * One successful title defense