Brad Katona

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. He started Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Manitoba. 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. 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.

Katona faced Jean Matsumoto on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Katona faced Bekzat Almakhan on May 10, 2025 at UFC 315. 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 Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter 27 Featherweight Tournament Winner Brave Combat Federation BRAVE CF Bantamweight Championship (One time) One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Bekzat Almakhan KO (punches) UFC 315

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Jean Matsumoto Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jesse Butler Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Loss

Garrett Armfield Decision (unanimous) UFC 297

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Cody Gibson Decision (unanimous) UFC 292

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Gamzat Magomedov Decision (unanimous) Brave CF 63

Isa Town, Bahrain Win

Hamza Kooheji Decision (split) Brave CF 57

Isa Town, Bahrain Win

Bair Shtepin Decision (unanimous) Brave CF 53

Almaty, Kazakhstan Win

Borislav Nikolić Submission (guillotine choke) Brave CF 50

Arad, Bahrain Loss

Hunter Azure Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Merab Dvalishvili Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Win

Matthew Lopez Decision (unanimous) UFC 231

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Jay Cucciniello Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Stephen Cervantes Decision (unanimous) Mercenary Combat League 1

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win

Austin Ryan Submission (kneebar) XFFC 13: Future Stars

Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada Win

Patrick Ward Decision (unanimous) Havoc FC 11

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Win

Josh Rich Decision (unanimous) Prestige FC 2

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Win

Myles Anderson Submission (guillotine choke) Prestige FC 1

Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada Win

Michael Hay KO (punch) MFC 41: All In

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Win

Timur Valiev Decision (split)

(airdate)

Win

Carlos Vera Decision (unanimous) (airdate)

Win

Bryce Mitchell Submission (rear-naked choke)

(airdate)

Win

Kyler Phillips Decision (majority) (airdate)