Bashi vs Brennan: A Featherweight Wrestler Meets a Submission Hunter
Every takedown Austin Bashi shoots on Nov. 7 comes with a catch. The 24-year-old featherweight wins fights with his wrestling, and the man across from him, Lucas "Skywalker" Brennan, has eight submissions among his 11 wins. The two Americans meet at UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs Brady, Saturday at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Start with Bashi (14-2), in the UFC since January 2025. He averages 6.09 takedowns per 15 minutes, a pace that leaves opponents very little time on their feet, and adds 1.43 submission attempts per 15. His record tells the same story: six submissions (43% of his wins), three knockouts, five decisions and four first-round finishes. His striking is the weak spot. Bashi lands 1.89 significant strikes per minute and absorbs 2.34, with 42% accuracy and 53% striking defense. Oddly for a wrestler, only 4% of his significant strikes land on the ground; 77% come standing and 19% in the clinch.
Brennan (11-3), 26, made his Octagon debut in April 2026, and his career numbers are a grappler's dream: eight submission wins (73%), two knockouts, a single decision and eight first-round finishes. His UFC sample is quieter. He lands 0.60 significant strikes per minute at 25% accuracy, absorbs 2.20, has yet to land a takedown and averages 1.00 submission attempt per 15 minutes. His average UFC fight time is exactly 15:00.
Physically, Brennan has the edge. He stands 5-foot-10 to Bashi's 5-foot-6 and has a 72-inch reach to Bashi's 70. Striking defense is a wash at 53% and 52%, and neither man has a UFC knockdown yet. The gap that matters is takedown defense: Bashi stops 64% of attempts, Brennan just 33%.
That creates an odd dilemma. On paper, Bashi should be able to get Brennan down again and again. But the place he wants to take the fight is exactly where Brennan has done most of his damage. The key question: can Bashi work from top position without giving up a neck or an arm, or will the wrestler drag the fight straight into his opponent's best territory?
The card opens at 2 p.m. local time, with the main card at 5 p.m., so arrive early if you want to catch these two featherweights. Get your seat: UFC Fight Night Las Vegas tickets for Nov. 7.