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Diego Lopes reacts as 14-1 teammate sinks in standing submission for first UFC win
Austin Bashi choking John Yannis at UFC Vegas 108, with inset of Diego Lopes at UFC 300. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Carmen Mandato via Getty Images

There’s nothing like winning your first UFC fight.

It’s fight night in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC returns with a 12-fight card from the UFC Apex.

Flyweights take center stage at UFC Vegas 108 as the formerly undefeated Tatsuro Taira meets the 10-0 Hyun Sung Park in his second main event in a row.

The undercard featured multiple finishes from knockouts to a submission on the feet, courtesy of one of top UFC star Diego Lopes’s main training partners.

Austin Bashi gets standing rear-naked choke at UFC Vegas 108, Diego Lopes reacts

Austin Bashi is a 23-year-old featherweight prospect who came into the UFC undefeated.

Bashi bounced back from a decision loss to Christian Rodriguez in his UFC debut in January with a stunning first-round submission of John Yannis at UFC Vegas 108.

Bashi took down Yannis 45 seconds into the opening round, working his way to the back where he secured a rear-naked choke, even after Yannis stood up to his feet.

Recent featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes shouted out his training partner following his first UFC win.

“Austin bashi [fire],” Lopes reacted on X.

Bashi helped Lopes prepare for Alexander Volkanovski in his last fight at UFC 314, mimicking the featherweight champion’s style in training sessions.

Austin Bashi given new nickname after first UFC win

Bashi improved to 14-1 as a pro with the standing rear-naked choke.

The top prospect is known for his grappling, dominating many of his opponents on the regional scene with his wrestling pressure.

After his ninth stoppage win, broadcaster Karyn Bryant suggested a nickname for Bashi since he doesn’t currently have one.

“‘Smashy'”, Bryant suggested.

Time will tell if Austin ‘Smashy’ Bashi sticks.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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