Austin Hubbard (born December 22, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2015, he has also competed for the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is the former Lightweight Champion (UFC).
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 and he amassed a record of 10–2 prior signed by UFC.
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 UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov. 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.
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, and he was replaced by Dakota Bush. Hubbard won the fight via unanimous decision.
Hubbard faced Vinc Pichel on August 21, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 29. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
In early May 2022, it was announced that Hubbard was released from UFC.
Post-UFC
Hubbard faced Julian Lane at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Hubbard faced Kegan Agnew at Caged Aggression 34 on October 14, 2022 for the promotion's lightweight championship. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
The Ultimate Fighter 31
In mid March 2023, it was announced that Hubbard would be competing in the thirty-first season of The Ultimate Fighter.
In the quarterfinal Hubbard faced former LFA Lightweight Champion Aaron McKenzie, and won the fight via unanimous decision.
In the semi-final round, Hubbard faced faced fellow teammate Roosevelt Roberts, and won the fight via split decistion.
Hubbard faced fellow teammate Kurt Holobaugh in the tournament final on August 19, 2023 at UFC 292. He lost the fight via a triangle choke submission in the second round.
Championships and achievements
Legacy Fighting Alliance
LFA Lightweight Championship (One time)