Austin Hubbard got the better of Canada’s own Kyle Prepolec to open the main card at UFC Vancouver.
A couple of fighters coming off of losses in their promotional debuts battled on the prelims of UFC Vancouver. Former LFA lightweight champion Austin Hubbard lost a unanimous decision to Davi Ramos back in May at UFC Rochester.
The 27-year-old is part of the Elevation Fight Team based out of Denver and had impressed throughout his 10-win, 13-fight career heading into Vancouver. Getting the first Octagon victory of his career would be another step in the right direction for the impressive prospect.
Kyle Prepolec’s promotional debut loss came at UFC Ottawa, also back in May. Losing a unanimous decision to Nordine Taleb, Prepolec moved to 12-6 in his professional MMA career. The Canadian had a second chance to impress in front of his compatriots, joining a small group of fighters born north of the border at UFC Vancouver. Prepolec was also making the move back to lightweight, having debuted in the promotion at welterweight. His last lightweight bout came in August of 2017.
Round 1: Hubbard opened with a front kick and Prepolec fired back. Both men move in and out as they tried to find the distance.
Prepolec landed a hard left cross. Hubbard missed with a knee that was answered back with a head kick from Prepolec. Prepolec landed a pair of hard rights, Hubbard slid away to the side before he reengaged. Hubbard lands a hard left that Prepolec was quick to respond to with his own flurry of punches.
Hubbard backed off before firing off a combination, they two then exchanged head kicks before they both moved out of range. Hubbard continued to work in the front kick as Prepolec looked to land leg kicks in response. Prepolec with a straight to the body of Hubbard but Hubbard slid away from range. Prepolec fired off another head kick as the round was coming to an end.
Round 2: Hubbard opens with a leg kick that Prepolec answered with his own. The two continued to exchange, and Prepolec found the mark with a head kick. Hubbard was unfazed and now pushed the action, he shot in for the takedown and ate an elbow from Prepolec but he stuck with it and took Prepolec to the mat. Prepolec was quick to work back to his feet but Hubbard didn’t make it easy.
They separate and Prepolec looked to press the action but Hubbard stopped his advance with a pair of stiff punches. Prepolec opened with a head kick after a quick stop in the action due to an unintended eye poke by Hubbard, Hubbard caught the leg, landed the takedown and was now working from side control. Hubbard worked the ground and pound as he worked to the back of Prepolec.
Prepolec defended as he tried to work back to his feet but Hubbard continued to pepper the Canadian with punches from the back as the horn sounded to end the round.
Round 3: A touch of gloves and the action is back on, Prepolec throws a front kick and Hubbard was quick to shoot for atakedown that grounds Prepolec for a moment but then he’s back to his feet and the two clinch against the cage. Prepolec finds an elbow on the break and presses Hubbard as he breaks away but Hubbard, again shot the takedown after eating a shot from Prepolec and takes him to the mat again.
Hubbard was quick to take the back and work in a hook but Prepolec’s position against the cage stopped Hubbard from securing the second. Undaunted, Hubbard was content to fire punches at will to the head of Prepolec from his back. Prepolec looked to wilt under the pressure but he soon exploded to his feet with Hubbard on his back. Hubbard was too high and slipped off and they two were back to their feet. Prepolec was quick to engage back on the feet and Hubbard, again shot in but Prepolec secured his arm around the neck of Hubbard and stuffed his attempt and held Hubbard there as the round came to a close.
Winner: Austin Hubbard def. Kyle Prepolec by unanimous decision (29-28)x3
