'Prospect' Austin Bashi may be ready for takeoff at UFC OKC

Their careers have had a similar trajectory, but there’d be few arguments about who is the proverbial A side in Austin Bashi’s next fight.

Bashi (14-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) takes on Jose Delgado (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) later this month at UFC Fight Night 281 (Paramount+) in Oklahoma City. Their featherweight matchup will be part of the prelims at Paycom Center.

Bashi arrived in the UFC through DWCS, just like Delgado did. And they both recently rebounded from their first UFC losses. But though Delgado has the bigger names on his resume, Bashi thinks the MMA Lab-based fighter is about to experience some Michigan muscle.

“He’s definitely a tough guy, but I love this matchup,” Bashi told MMA Junkie Radio. “I really think I’m going to finish him in the first or second round. This is definitely the biggest fight of my career.

“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.”

A win over Delgado would be big, without question. But would it be big enough for Bashi to shed the oft-dreaded “prospect” label he’s been saddled with since he earned his contract through DWCS?

Maybe. But even if it’s not and he still has a row to hoe, he’ll take it.

“I don’t mind (being called a prospect),” Bashi 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.”

Just 24, Bashi has his past six wins by stoppage, including five chokes. That’s how he got Johny Yannis last August in a fight he was a massive favorite in. It was a bounce-back from his upset loss to Christian Rodriguez in his UFC debut.

Call it the ignorance of youth if you must, but for now, Bashi is loving the prospect path on his way up.

“It’s definitely not the paycheck or the fame,” he said. “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.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: ‘Prospect’ Austin Bashi may be ready for takeoff at UFC OKC