American mixed martial arts fighter
Austin Steven Phillip Hubbard (born December 22, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Fighting professionally since 2015, he has also competed for the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is the former Lightweight Champion.
Background.
A native of Sterling, Illinois, Hubbard began his athletic career playing football and practicing wrestling for Newman Central Catholic High School. While pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at Sauk Valley Community College, he started training MMA as a way to stay in shape. Hubbard moved to Denver, Colorado and joined Elevation Fight Team, training with Drew Dober and Neil Magny.
Mixed martial arts career.
Early career.
Hubbard started his professional MMA career in 2015. He was the former Legacy Fighting Alliance Lightweight Champion, amassing a record of 10–2 prior to signing with the UFC in April 2019.
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Hubbard made his UFC debut on May 18, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 152 against Davi Ramos. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. His second UFC bout was on September 14, 2019 against Kyle Prepolec at UFC Fight Night 158. Although he won this fight via unanimous decision, compartment syndrome on his upper thigh resulted in a trip to the hospital for surgery to relieve the swelling.
Six months later, Hubbard faced Mark Madsen on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Hubbard was expected to face Joe Solecki on June 20, 2020 at . However at the last minute, Solecki was replaced by promotional newcomer Max Rohskopf. He won the fight via TKO between the second and third rounds after Rohskopf opted not to continue. The match with Solecki was rescheduled on August 22, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 15. He lost the fight by submission in the first round.
The following year, Hubbard was expected to face promotional newcomer Natan Levy on April 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 22; however, Levy pulled out of the bout, citing an injury. With Dakota Bush tapped to replace Levy, Hubbard won the fight via unanimous decision. Later that fall, Hubbard faced Vinc Pichel on August 21, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 29, losing via unanimous decision.
Post-UFC career.
In May 2022, Hubbard was released from the UFC. Following his release, Hubbard faced Julian Lane at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022, winning via unanimous decision. Three months later, Hubbard faced Kegan Agnew at Caged Aggression 34 on October 14, 2022, for the promotion's lightweight championship. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
The Ultimate Fighter 31.
In March 2023, it was announced that Hubbard would be competing in The Ultimate Fighter 31. In the quarterfinal (Episode 3), Hubbard faced former LFA Lightweight Champion Aaron McKenzie, winning via unanimous decision. In the semi-final round (Episode 9), Hubbard faced fellow teammate Roosevelt Roberts. Although Hubbard won the fight via split decision, the bout was noted as unimpressive by UFC President Dana White for lack of aggressiveness.
In the tournament final, Hubbard faced fellow teammate Kurt Holobaugh on August 19, 2023 at UFC 292. He lost the fight via a triangle choke submission in the second round.
Return to UFC.
In February 2024, it was announced that Hubbard would face Michał Figlak on April 27, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55. Hubbard won the fight by unanimous decision.
Hubbard was briefly scheduled to face Nate Landwehr on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307. However, Landwehr withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced by Alexander Hernandez on short notice. Hubbard lost the fight by split decision.
Mixed martial arts record.
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References.
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