Austin Hubbard’s journey back to the UFC continues.
In an episode of The Ultimate Fighter that aired last week, Hubbard defeated Roosevelt Roberts in the lightweight semifinals. He becomes the first fighter to reach the finals, and he is now only one win away from winning TUF 31 and regaining a UFC roster spot.
“I’m fighting to compete at the highest level in MMA,” says Hubbard. “Life hasn’t always gone the way I wanted, but I’m here to prove my worth.”
Hubbard (15–6) last fought for the UFC in August 2021, losing to Vinc Pichel. He was released the following spring, beginning a torturous stretch of time.
Hubbard’s wife had a miscarriage that May. The pain intensified in August when Hubbard’s younger brother, Maxx, died by suicide at the age of 28.
“The last two years have been the worst in my life,” says Hubbard. “It just felt like life was on a down slope. Every time I thought it couldn’t get worse, it got worse.”
Hubbard wears his brother’s ashes in a necklace, which was visible this season on The Ultimate Fighter.
“I wear that everywhere,” says Hubbard. “He loved to write, and a poem he wrote is inside the necklace. It says, ‘The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven.’ That’s always stuck with me.”
Still grieving, the struggles continued for Hubbard. He could not get booked for fights outside the UFC, nor could he get booked by the UFC.
A lack of money forced a move from Colorado back to his hometown in Illinois. But life changed for Hubbard, his wife and their daughter when he received an unexpected offer to join TUF.
“Out of the blue, I got a call about The Ultimate Fighter,” says Hubbard. “My coach had this opportunity for me. At first, I was in such a bad place, I didn’t know if I even wanted to do it.
“I’m glad I did go through with it. A lot of good is going to come out of it. I’m very thankful to be in this opportunity. I’m in a much better place.”
Hubbard reached the lightweight finals of The Ultimate Fighter by defeating Aaron McKenzie in the opening round, then Roberts in the semifinals. The fight against Roberts, which aired last week on ESPN, was especially difficult after they formed a tight bond during the filming of the show.
“We became really good friends,” says Hubbard. “We were drilling partners; we were bunk mates. He’s had his struggles, too, and he’s fighting to succeed. So it sucked to be the one to take his dream away. He wanted to win, too. That was hard.
“I didn’t come into TUF looking to make friends, I was looking to win. But I made some genuine friendships, and he’s at the top of the list. I hope he gets his shot. He deserves to be in the UFC.”
UFC president Dana White, who is an integral voice on The Ultimate Fighter, criticized the Hubbard-Roberts bout for a lack of action. White even made it a point to emphasize that Hubbard will need to perform better in the finals.
“I thought it was a good, high-level fight,” says Hubbard. “We were both going after it. I was surprised by Dana’s reaction, but he’s the boss. It was a good learning experience, and I know I have to adjust, so I’ll grow from it and learn from it.
“If I can fight someone I like that much, it will be even easier to polish my kill switch against someone else.”
Hubbard is now just one victory away from fulfilling his goal of returning to the UFC. He is fighting for those who are no longer here, as well as his loved ones still present.
“I’m making the most of every day,” says Hubbard. “I’m going to prove I belong in the UFC, provide for my family in a way they deserve and hopefully motivate people, too.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
