Bashi submits Calderon in 67 seconds at UFC Vegas 124 to return to winning ways

Austin Bashi returned to the win column in emphatic fashion at UFC Vegas 124, submitting short-notice replacement Carlos Calderon with a rear-naked choke just 67 seconds into their featherweight bout at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The 25-year-old was particularly satisfied that he secured the finish without absorbing significant damage — something he described as the ideal outcome in any fight.

“I’m very happy, man. This feels very good,” Bashi told UFC News afterward. “Obviously, anytime you could get a win and without taking damage and doing it quickly, it’s the best way to come out of a fight. So I’m very blessed and happy I got it done the way I did.”

Bashi attributed the slick submission to hours of repetitive drilling with his coaches, focusing specifically on taking opponents’ backs and securing chokes.

“We’re drilling this day in and day out,” he said. “We drill it so much in the camp that when we come to a fight, we’re just familiar with this position, getting the back and finding the neck. My coaches are always helping me with this a lot. And here I am with that choke again.”

With Calderon stepping in on short notice, Bashi had little time to devise a tailored game plan and instead leaned on instinct and accumulated experience.

“With this opponent being so short notice, I didn’t really have a set game plan like how I did before,” he added. “These are the type of fights you just kind of come in and… I’ve been fighting my whole life. So I just do what I know.”

Looking ahead, Bashi made clear he has no preference over future opponents, expressing a willingness to face anyone the promotion places in front of him.

“I like competition. I like fighting the best people in the world. So whoever they put in front of me, that’s who I’ll fight.”