Austin Hubbard

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 Hubbard started his professional MMA career in 2015. He was the former Legacy Fighting Alliance Lightweight Champion, amassing a record of 10–2 prior to signing with the UFC in April 2019.

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 required 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.

The following year, 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. With Dakota Bush tapped to replace Levy, Hubbard won the fight via unanimous decision. Later that fall, Hubbard faced Vinc Pichel on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 29, losing via unanimous decision.

In May 2022, Hubbard was released from the UFC. Following his release, Hubbard faced Julian Lane at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022, winning via unanimous decision. Three months later, Hubbard faced Kegan Agnew at Caged Aggression 34 on October 14, 2022, for the promotion's lightweight championship. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

The Ultimate Fighter 31 In March 2023, it was announced that Hubbard would be competing in The Ultimate Fighter 31. In the quarterfinal (Episode 3), Hubbard faced former LFA Lightweight Champion Aaron McKenzie, winning via unanimous decision. In the semi-final round (Episode 9), Hubbard faced teammate Roosevelt Roberts. Although Hubbard won the fight via split decision, the bout was noted as unimpressive by UFC President Dana White for lack of aggressiveness.

In the tournament final, Hubbard faced teammate Kurt Holobaugh on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292. He lost the fight via a triangle choke submission in the second round.

Return to the UFC In February 2024, it was announced that Hubbard would face Michał Figlak on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55. Hubbard won the fight by unanimous decision. Later that year, Hubbard was briefly scheduled to face Nate Landwehr on October 5, 2024, at UFC 307; however, Landwehr withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Alexander Hernandez on short notice. Hubbard lost the fight by split decision.

Hubbard was scheduled to face Daniel Zellhuber on March 29, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 64, replacing Elves Brener who withdrew for unknown reasons. However, Zellhuber was pulled from the card due to injury and was replaced by MarQuel Mederos. Hubbard lost to Mederos by split decision.

Hubbard faced Rong Zhu on August 23, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 257. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On September 11, 2025, it was reported that Hubbard was released by the UFC once again.

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter 31 (Runner-up) Legacy Fighting Alliance LFA Lightweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Kegan Gennrich Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) Caged Aggression 41: Night 2

Davenport, Iowa, United States Loss

Rong Zhu Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang

Shanghai, China Loss

MarQuel Mederos Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Alexander Hernandez Decision (split) UFC 307

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Win

Michał Figlak Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kurt Holobaugh Submission (triangle choke) UFC 292

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Kegan Agnew Decision (unanimous) Caged Aggression 34

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Julian Lane Decision (unanimous) XMMA 5

Columbia, South Carolina, United States Loss

Vinc Pichel Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dakota Bush Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joe Solecki Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Max Rohskopf TKO (retirement) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Mark Madsen Decision (unanimous) UFC 248

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kyle Prepolec Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Gaethje

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Davi Ramos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee

Rochester, New York, United States Win

Killys Mota TKO (punches) |LFA 56

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Win

Harvey Park Decision (unanimous) LFA 39

Vail, Colorado, United States Win

Charlie Radtke Decision (unanimous) Caged Aggression 22

Davenport, Iowa, United States Loss

Eric Wisely Decision (unanimous) Caged Aggression 20

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Cameron VanCamp Submission (rear-naked choke) Hoosier Fight Club 34

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Kristian Nieto Decision (unanimous) Sparta Combat League 59

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Cliff Wright Decision (unanimous) Caged Aggression 18

Davenport, Iowa, United States Loss

Sean McMurray Submission (rear-naked choke) Hoosier Fight Club 30

Michigan City, Indiana, United States Win

Devoniere Jackson TKO (punches) Caged Aggression 17

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Demian Papagni TKO (submission to punches) Pinnacle Combat 22

Dubuque, Iowa, United States Win

Jake Constant TKO (punches) Caged Aggression 16

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Deven Fisher Submission (guillotine choke) Caged Aggression: Sturgis 75th Anniversary Part 2

Sturgis, South Dakota, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Win

Roosevelt Roberts Decision (split)

(airdate)

Win

Aaron McKenzie Decision (unanimous) (airdate)