Austin Hubbard admits he was ‘super nervous, stressed out’ before UFC on ESPN 55 win
LAS VEGAS – Austin Hubbard felt the weight of needing a victory to justify being brought back to UFC for a second stint at UFC on ESPN 55.
After suffering a submission loss to Kurt Holobaugh in “The Ultimate Fighter 31” lightweight finale in August, Hubbard knew he could be potentially fighting for his job again when he stepped into the cage with Michal Figlak on Saturday at the UFC Apex.
It was hard to put the optics out of his mind, but Hubbard (16-7 MMA, 4-5 UFC) did that for 15 minutes, and left with a unanimous decision victory over Figlak (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) for his first win under the UFC banner in April 2021.
“I’m just relieved,” Hubbard told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC on ESPN 55. “I was super nervous, stressed out all camp. I just wanted to come here, get a win and I did that. Now, I can breathe a little.
“He comes forward hard. He’s a talented young fighter. He throws heat. He’s constantly coming forward. This was the fight I was expecting, and he brought it and I feel like I brought it. I hope it was entertaining for everyone.”
Hubbard’s first run in the UFC was not ideal. He went 3-4 with the promotion, alternating wins and losses all along the way. He was released, but ultimately brought back on a “TUF” season that consisted of a team of other UFC veterans trying to get back to the sport’s biggest stage.
Although he faltered in the season finals against Holobaugh, it didn’t make Hubbard think he didn’t belong. He said he’s the most mature he’s ever been and thinks that’s going to lead to newfound success moving forward.
“I’ve learned a lot from my first stint on through to where I am right now,” Hubbard said. “A lot of things in my life has changed. I’ve learned a lot of lessons. I’ve evolved as a person, as a fighter and I feel like – I don’t want to say I’ve got it figured out. But I’ve got it more figured out. Just looking to keep growing off this and keep climbing and putting consistent wins together.
“I’m very determined to put consistent wins together. Keep winning. Obviously my first stint I went win one, lose one, win one, lose one. I know what I am capable of and I am capable of putting consistent wins together and I Just need to go out there and do it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 55.
Maheshate---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 Benitz vs Maheshate ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Hayisaer Maheshate def Gabriel Benitez via split decision UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Ivana-Petrovic---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Petrovic vs Na ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Ivana Petrovic def. Na Liang via submission at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Chris-Padilla---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Lliontop vs Padilla ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Chris Padilla def. James Llontop via submission UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Ketlen-Souza----ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Mann vs Souza ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Ketlen Souza def. Maarnic Mann via decision at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Don'Tale-Mayes---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Mayes vs Machado
Share this
image
gallery
Don'Tale Mayes def. Caio Machado via decision at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Austen-Hubbard---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Hubbard vs Figlak ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Austin Hubbard def. Michal Figlak via decision at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Victor-Henry---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Yahya vs Henry ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Victor Henry def. Rani Yahya via TKO at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Uros-Medic---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Means vs Medic ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Means vs Medic
Share this
image
gallery
Uros Medic def. Tim Means via TKO at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
David-Onama---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Pearce vs Onama ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Pearce vs Onama
Share this
image
gallery
David Onama def. Jonathan Pearce via decision at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Jhonata-Diniz---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Lane vs Diniz ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Lane vs Diniz
Share this
image
gallery
Jhonata Diniz def. Austen Lane via knockout at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Karine-Silva---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 da Silvs vs Silva ufc on espn 55 faceoff
da Silvs vs Silva
Share this
image
gallery
Karine Silva def. Ariane da Silva via decision at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Bogdan-Guskov---ufc-on-espn-55-weigh-in-
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Spann vs Guskov
Spann vs Guskov
Share this
image
gallery
Bogdan Guskov def. Ryan Spann via TKO at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Alex Perez- ufc on espn 55 weigh in
Share this
image
gallery
UFC on ESPN 55 - Nicolau vs Perez ufc on espn 55 faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Alex Perez def. Matheus Nicolau via knockout at UFC on ESPN 55 scorecard
Share this
image
gallery