LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: (L-R) Christian Rodriguez punches Austin Bashi in a featherweight combat through the UFC Battle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photographs)
Think about this an indication of how scorching a prospect Austin Bashi is: the UFC booked his debut on the UFC Vegas 101 foremost card, towards famous “prospect killer” Christian Rodriguez.
Bashi, an undefeated featherweight expertise, has lengthy been on the radar of prospect watchers in MMA. Rodriguez, a.okay.a. “CeeRod,” had been the bump within the highway for names like Raul Rosas Jr. and Cameron Saaiman.
Whereas a loss at UFC Vegas 101 wouldn’t derail Bashi’s profession, his efficiency is likely to be the deciding think about whether or not he took the quick observe, or sluggish highway, to start out in UFC profession.
The combat opened with Rodriguez beautiful Bashi with a knee throughout an change. Though shaken, Bashi recovered rapidly and shot for a takedown. Rodriguez rolled with the try and scrambled again to his ft, however Bashi remained relentless in his pursuit of takedowns. His aggression, nonetheless, left his neck uncovered, giving Rodriguez a possibility to threaten with a guillotine. He didn’t have it. Again in open area, Rodriguez caught a kick from Bashi and dumped him to the mat, however Bashi was fast to return to his ft and provoke one other takedown try. Rodriguez defended properly however briefly turned away, permitting Bashi to leap onto his again.
Regardless of the precarious place, Rodriguez stayed composed, sustaining glorious protection till Bashi deserted the hassle. Breaking free from the clinch, Rodriguez launched a flurry of strikes, exhibiting his excessive output. Nevertheless, his overzealous method left him weak, and Bashi capitalized with one other takedown. Even then, Rodriguez rapidly reversed the place, sweeping Bashi and regaining high management earlier than returning to his ft because the spherical ended.
To start out spherical two, Austin Bashi was advancing. He was lacking on the punches however would throw right into a single leg. He was by no means in a position to absolutely get Rodriguez down however the preliminary shot noticed him full it. Rodriguez, by no means complacent, moved to his knees then to his ft however with Bashi backpacked. As soon as once more, Bashi didn’t have the most effective place and would give it quickly sufficient. Straight away Bashi went again to the takedown. As Rodriguez continued to cease the preliminary takedown he was having hassle warding off Bashi’s chain wrestling. Bashi tried to take his again however Rodriguez slipped away and acquired again to his ft. Needing to get some momentum Rodriguez was touchdown some good blows, however Bashi slowed the tempo down till the bell.
Within the ultimate spherical, Bashi landed a entrance kick that transitioned easily right into a takedown try. Though it was a well-executed sequence, Rodriguez defended successfully. Regardless of Rodriguez’s robust protection, Bashi maintained a relentless tempo, always pressuring ahead. Nevertheless, at occasions, his aggression backfired, as Rodriguez proved to be the higher scrambler. In a single change, Bashi wound up on his again, trying a kimura, however used the cage to work his method again up. On the ft, Rodriguez showcased his superior putting, touchdown crisp combos and well-timed knees that linked cleanly. Nevertheless, Bashi’s grinding fashion saved Rodriguez from absolutely capitalizing on his putting benefit. Because the combat wore on, Bashi’s cardio started to fade, and his takedown makes an attempt grew to become extra telegraphed. Rodriguez completed the combat robust, including a contact of showmanship within the ultimate moments, closing out an entertaining third spherical.
Come the scorecard, it was no shock to see Christian Rodriguez introduced the winner. Bashi, served up the primary lack of his professional MMA profession, will study a lot from the expertise nonetheless.
Official End result: Christian Rodriguez def. Austin Bashi by unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
