LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 26: (LR) Opponents Austin Hubbard and Michal Firak of Poland face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on April 26, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. do. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Austin Hubbard officially began his second stint in the UFC on Saturday in a lightweight matchup against Cage Warriors veteran Michal Firak.
Hubbard was released from the UFC in 2022, but returned last year for The Ultimate Fighter 31, losing in the finals to Kurt Hollobaugh, but eventually re-signing with the UFC.
Firak and Hubbard were aggressive from the start, trading kicks and single strikes for openings. Firak probably had a little more power behind his attack, cutting off Hubbard’s leg from below with just over a minute left. Hubbard quickly got to his feet and immediately fired a single-leg shot, with only Firak turning the corner. Show solid defense and repel the attempt.
A second takedown attempt shortly after was more beneficial for Hubbard, who landed the attempt, but Firak scrambled up shortly after and succeeded before any damage could be done. Figlak went back to his leg kicks finding a place for his left hand. Hubbard had a little redness around his face. Hubbard’s right hand also landed, but his connection rate seemed to lag Michal Firak.
The second round started much like the first, with some heated exchanges but starting on the feet. Firak faced pressure and Hubbard countered instead of leading. And with Hubbard on his back foot, he wasn’t able to produce as much power as he could have. And Firak’s takedown defense continued to force his next attempt to grab Hubbard’s legs, dragging the fight to the mat.
There was more stand-up action in the third game, with Michal Firak and Austin Hubbard going back and forth, trading short combos and leg kicks, waiting for an opportunity to explode. For the most part, the fight was even, with Firak perhaps having a slight advantage. In the third, he tightened a few bodylocks from behind as the pair clinched, but it didn’t mean much. The action died down a bit in the third set, and Firak seemed to slow down a step. That gave Hubbard a single-shot opportunity that ultimately pulled Firak down. Again he was unable to keep his opponent there and Hubbard soon found himself reversed over the fence. Another takedown attempt was stuffed by Firak shortly after, and the match ended in a scramble with Firak in control.
In Hubbard vs. Firak, the judges will look big in a close fight. In the end, all three gave Hubbard two rounds in a fight that could have gone either way.
Official results: Austin Hubbard def. Michal Firak unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
