Austin Bashi: 'Taking my time' was ticket to UFC entry

LAS VEGAS – Whether he’s speaking about trying to finish a fight, or his career progression as a whole, Austin Bashi explains he isn’t in a rush.

At 22, Bashi (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned his UFC deal Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 70 after he submitted opponent Dorian Ramos (8-3) in Round 2. The appearance came after multiple declinations of UFC inquiries, all part of a larger-picture career plan laid out by his coaches at Warrior Way Martial Arts.

“I don’t regret that one bit,” Bashi told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a post-fight news conference. “That was all part of the plan. I’ve said it so many times. People come into the UFC … with rarely any experience and you see them get beat up in the UFC. My whole thing was making sure I have enough fights with tough, tough people, which I have.”

Bashi was dominant from start to finish. He wore down Ramos, a late-notice replacement opponent, with heavy wrestling and a relentless pace before he locked in a rear-naked choke.

UFC CEO Dana White seemed slightly critical of the perceived decision to play with his food before he ate, proverbially speaking, but Bashi said the measured approach is what’s best.

“I said in my interview before: ‘First round, I get them tired. By the second round or early third, I’m going to finish them,'” Bashi said. “… I like taking my time. I like not rushing it. That’s something my coaches tell me is, ‘Don’t rush. Take your time.’ Taking my time in there, feeling him out, that was part of it.”

As for what’s next, Bashi hopes to make his promotional debut before the end of 2024.

“I like to be active,” Bashi said. “I like to get three to four fights a year. I’ll take a little time off and before the end of the year for sure I’ll want to make my UFC debut.”