Austin Bashi is set for a pivotal featherweight showdown against Jose Delgado on the prelims of UFC Fight Night 281 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City later this month.
Bashi enters the bout with a 14-1 MMA record and 1-1 mark in the UFC, while Delgado brings an 11-2 MMA record and 3-1 UFC slate. Both fighters joined the promotion through Dana White’s Contender Series and recently rebounded from their first UFC losses.
"He's definitely a tough guy, but I love this matchup," Bashi said while looking ahead to the Oklahoma City clash. "I really think I'm going to finish him in the first or second round. This is definitely the biggest fight of my career."
Bashi, 24, has won his past six fights by stoppage, including five by choke, and is coming off a submission of Johny Yannis in August after an upset loss to Christian Rodriguez in his UFC debut. He sees this fight as a major step in his rise.
"A win here puts me into a much bigger fight next and really accelerates my career. Right now, I'm just focused on July 18 and getting this win so my career keeps moving upward," Bashi said.
Despite being labeled a prospect, Bashi embraces the journey and insists his motivation is pure. "I don't mind (being called a prospect)," he said. "I'm young. That's usually what they call younger fighters who are just getting into the UFC. I've only had two UFC fights, so I understand why people say it. Eventually you keep winning and then you're the veteran."
"It's definitely not the paycheck or the fame," Bashi added. "I just love this. I've been doing it for so long and I genuinely love training, fighting, competing—everything about it. I know some people do it for fame or money, but that's not me. I truly love this game."
